Asparagus cochinchinensis

Asparagus cochinchinensis is a species of flowering plant, sometimes called "Chinese asparagus", in the subfamily Asparagoideae of the family Asparagaceae. No subspecies are listed in the Catalogue of Life.

Description

A herb. The roots are swollen. The form tubers which are 3-5 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. The stems are climbing and 1-2 m long. They are slightly woody. The branches are angled and have narrow wings. The leaf spur sometimes has spines. The spines are 2.5-3.5 mm long on the main stems. The true leaves are reduced to small scales. In the axils of these scale leaves there are 2-3 leaf-like small branches. These are 3 angled. The flowers are in the axils of the leaves. The fruit is a berry. It is green and 6-7 mm across. There are 1 or 2 seeds.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Root Edible Uses: Tubers - cooked. The tubers are up to 5cm long and 2m wide. They are washed to remove the bitterness, the fibrous core is removed and the root is then boiled. It tastes like asparagus. Another report says that the tubers are eaten after preserving in sugar. The fruit is said to be edible. The fruit is about 6 - 8mm in diameter. Another report says that the berries are harmful if eaten.

Traditional Uses

The tubers are candied and eaten. They are also boiled. The fruit are also eaten.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

Antibacterial Antiinflammatory Antipyretic Antiseptic Antitussive Cancer Diuretic Expectorant Infertility Nervine Sialagogue Stomachic Tonic This species has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years. The roots contain asparagine, mucilage, starch and sugars. The dried root is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antiseptic, antitussive, diuretic, expectorant, nervine, sialagogue, stomachic, nervous stimulant and tonic. It is taken internally in the treatment of fevers, debility, sore throats, coughs etc. It is often decocted with other herbs and used in the treatment of a wide range of ailments including diabetes mellitus. It is commonly used in restorative recipes together with Rehmannia glutinosa and Codonopsis javanica. Prolonged usage is recommended for the treatment of impotence. The root is harvested when the plant is dormant and is dried for later use. The plant has a folk history for the treatment of cancer, modern research has detected antitumour activity and it is now being studied for the treatment of lung cancer.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows on thinly forested slopes and waste fields from near sea level to 1700 m altitude. It is often in arid areas. It can be on coral or limestone rocks. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Asia, Cambodia, China, Europe, Indochina, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Laos, Mediterranean, Myanmar, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Taiwan, Tibet, Vietnam,

Cultivation

A plant of the warm temperate, subtropical and tropical zones, being found in China in hardiness zones from 7 upwards. Plants are said to tolerate winter temperatures falling occasionally to between -10 and -15°c. Easily grown in any good garden soil. Prefers a rich light well-drained sandy loam in a sunny position. A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

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. 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. Division in early spring as the plant comes into growth.

Other Uses

Insecticide Kills the larvae of flies and mosquitoes. No more details. Special Uses

Other Information

It is sold in local markets in China. It is cultivated.

Notes

The tubers are used in medicine. There are between 160-300 Asparagus species.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Bambu tali, Laosha, Tian men dong, Tian men dong, Tumpeang, Tenmondo

References (14)

• Altschul, S.V.R., 1973, Drugs and Foods from Little-known Plants. Notes in Harvard University Herbaria. Harvard Univ. Press. Massachusetts. no. 315
• Bircher, A. G. & Bircher, W. H., 2000, Encyclopedia of Fruit Trees and Edible Flowering Plants in Egypt and the Subtropics. AUC Press. p 45
• Chen Xinqi, Liang Songyun, Xu Jiemei, Tamura M.N., Liliaceae. Flora of China. p 141
• Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 32
• Geng, Y., et al, 2016, Traditional knowledge and its transmission of wild edibles used by the Naxi in Baidi Village, northwest Yunnan province. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. 12:10

More from Asparagaceae

Agave salmiana

Pulque agave

Agave salmiana var. ferox

Giant agave

Agave schottii

Agave seemanniana

Cacaya

Agave shawii

Shaw's agave

Agave sisalana

Sisal, Hemp