Native Asparagus, Asparagus fern
Protasparagus racemosus

Family: Asparagaceae

What it is like

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.

Where it is found

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.

Countries/locations it is found in

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

How it is used for food

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

Edible parts

Roots, shoots

How it is grown

It is grown from seed or by dividing the roots.

Its other names

Local names

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

Synonyms

See Protasparagus racemosus; Asparagus dubius Decaisne; Asparagus javanica Kunth.; Asparagus schoberioides Kunth.; Asparagus volubilis Buchanan-Hamilton;