Asparagus officinalis L.

Wild Asparagus; Garden Asparagus

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Wild Asparagus is an introduced herbaceous perennial in the Asparagus family (Asparagaceae). It is native to Europe and western Asia. Wild Asparagus is commonly cultivated and has escaped around the world. In Alabama it can be found state wide. Wild Asparagus occurs on roadsides, along railroads, near old home sites, and in pastures. It is an herbaceous perennial with thick roots from fibrous rhizomes. The stems are erect, to 4 feet tall, freely branched, green in color, sometimes glaucous, and glabrous. Leaves are alternate, small and scale-like with a hardened base. The leaves subtend a cluster of 4-15 needle-like cladophylls (a flattened stem that resembles a leaf). Flowers are produced in axillary racemes of 1-3 flowers. Individual flowers are bisexual or unisexual, bell-shaped, with 6 yellowish-green tepals. The fruit is a red berry. Wild Asparagus has been collected for use as a vegetable since ancient times. The young newly emerged shoots are collected in early spring before they become fibrous. Cattle have been poisoned by eating asparagus plants, and contact dermatitis has been reported in humans. The berries are believed to be poisonous in humans but are readily consumed by birds.—A. Diamond

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Not Native FACU- (NWPL)

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