Asparagus aphyllus

From Permawiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Asparagus aphyllus
Light:Full Sun Part Shade
Moisture:Xeric Mesic
Soil pH:5.6-8.4
Cross Pollinated
Height:3'
Native to:
Edible Rating:PFAF Edibility RatingPFAF Edibility Rating
Tea:Yes
Poisonous

Asparagus aphyllus

Propagation: Seed - pre-soak for 12 hours in warm water and then sow in spring or as soon as the seed is ripe in early autumn in a greenhouse. It usually germinates in 3 - 6 weeks at 25°c[1]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a sunny position in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer[K].

Division in early spring as the plant comes into growth.

Cultivation: We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.

Easily grown in any good garden soil[2]. Prefers a rich sandy loam[3].

Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Range: S. Europe.

Habitat: Hedges and rocky limestone hills[4].

Edibility: Young shoots - raw or cooked[5][6]. A slightly bitter flavour[4][7].

Pollinators: Bees

Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.

Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.

Flower Type: Dioecious

Links

References

  1. Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan, 1988.
  2. Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
  3. Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Niebuhr, Alta. Herbs of Greece. Herb Society of America, 1970.
  5. Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
  6. Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
  7. Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.