Protasparagus racemosus

Willd.

Native Asparagus, Asparagus fern

Asparagaceae Edible: Roots, Shoots Potential hazards — see below

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Description

A straggling shrub. The roots and underground stems produce fleshy tubers at their ends. The stems are climbing. It has many branches. It is slender and about 1.5 m high. The shoots are covered with spines which curve backwards. They are 1.5-2 cm long on the main stem and smaller on the branches. The stem is leaf like and flattened. It normally has ridges or lines along it. They are curved and with a channel beneath. The flowers are small and white. They have a smell and contain both sexes. The fruit is a berry and round.

Edible Uses

The young shoots are cooked as a vegetable, and the fleshy roots are eaten as a vegetable or candied.

Traditional Uses

The young shoots are cooked as a vegetable. The roots are also eaten as a vegetable. They are candied.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Known Hazards

It is damaged by frost.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It occurs throughout Nepal from 300-2200 m high. It grows in dry places. In China it grows in broad leafed forest between 2100-2200 m altitude. It grows in rocky and gravely forests. It is drought tolerant. It is damaged by frost. Mt Cootha Botanical Gardens.

Where It Grows

Africa, Asia, Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, East Africa, East Timor, Ethiopia, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sikkim, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Thailand, Timor-Leste,

Cultivation

It is grown from seed or by dividing the roots.

Synonyms

See Protasparagus racemosusAsparagus dubius DecaisneAsparagus javanica Kunth.Asparagus schoberioides Kunth.Asparagus volubilis Buchanan-Hamilton

Also Known As

Chadiu, Challagadda, Chang ci tian men dong, Chuang-khrua, Kuril, Majjige-gadde, Me:m sa:m so'b, Niesie saub, Phaknam, Pilli-telagu, Samsip, Samsit, Sangga langit, Satabari, Satamuli, Satavar, Satavari, Satawar, Satawari, Satawarmul, Seriti, Shatavali, Shimao-shadavari, Skikirie

References (23)

Ambasta S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 59
Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 109
Brown, D., 2002, The Royal Horticultural Society encyclopedia of Herbs and their uses. DK Books. p 134
Burkill, I.H., 1966, A Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Vol 1 (A-H) p 264
Chen Xinqi, Liang Songyun, Xu Jiemei, Tamura M.N., Liliaceae. Flora of China. p 141

Show all 23 references

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Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 81
Jardin, C., 1970, List of Foods Used In Africa, FAO Nutrition Information Document Series No 2.p 57
Jones, D.L. & Gray, B., 1977, Australian Climbing Plants. Reed. p 76
Manandhar, N.P., 2002, Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press. Portland, Oregon. p 100
Martin, F.W. & Ruberte, R.M., 1979, Edible Leaves of the Tropics. Antillian College Press, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. p 202
Molla, A., Ethiopian Plant Names. http://www.ethiopic.com/aplants.htm (As Asparagus racemosus)
Morley, B.D., & Toelken, H.R., (Eds), 1983, Flowering Plants in Australia. Rigby. p 329
Paczkowska, G. & Chapman, A.R., 2000, The Western Australian Flora. A Descriptive Catalogue. Western Australian Herbarium. p 37
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