Asparagus is the common name for Asparagus officinalis L., a perennial flowering plant best known for its edible young shoots. Once classified as part of the lily family (Liliaceae), asparagus plants have since been reclassified to belong in the angiosperm family Asparagaceae.
What kind of flowers are found in asparagus?
Flower. Perianth regular (actinomorphic), whitish–greenish yellow, 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in.) wide, fused, 6-lobed.
Is asparagus a flower?
Asparagus, or garden asparagus, folk name sparrow grass, scientific name Asparagus officinalis, is a perennial flowering plant species in the genus Asparagus. Its young shoots are used as a spring vegetable. It was once classified in the lily family, like the related Allium species, onions and garlic.
What kind of plant is a asparagus?
herbaceous perennial plant
Asparagus, Asparagus officinalis, is an herbaceous perennial plant in the family Asparagaceae which is grown for its young shoots, or spears, which are eaten as a vegetable. The asparagus plant is tall with scale like leaves emerging from the underground stem (rhizome) and has stout stems and feathery foliage.
Is asparagus a flower bud?
The tip of the asparagus is not a set of flower buds; consequently the thin little triangular leaves of asparagus are not bracts, but rather “scale leaves” that protect developing branch buds. The tip of a growing asparagus spear is the part of the stem that will become branchy (if it is not harvested).
What color are asparagus flowers?
Individual flowers are about ¼ inch long, bell-shaped with 6 pale yellow to greenish tepals (petals), 6 orange-tipped stamens, on a slender stalk up to an inch long.
What vegetables are classified as flower?
The head, or flower, vegetables include artichokes, broccoli, and cauliflower. The fruits commonly considered vegetables by virtue of their use include cucumbers, eggplant, okra, sweet corn, squash, peppers, and tomatoes.
Is broccoli a type of flower?
Because broccoli is an active flower, it can be pollinated. Brassica family members have both male and female flower parts in close proximity to each other on the plant, but chemicals produced by the plant make it self-incompatible.
Is broccoli a bud or a flower?
The dark green broccoli plant has a firm stalk and branching arms that end in heads of florets. Broccoli heads are actually groups of buds that are almost ready to flower; each group of buds is called a floret.
Is a asparagus a plant?
Asparagus is one of the first plants that greets us in springtime! It’s a perennial, which means that once it gets established, the tender spears will return year after year. In addition, its ferny foliage makes an excellent ornamental. Here’s how to grow asparagus—from planting through harvest!
Is asparagus a herb?
Asparagus is a dioecious, perennial herb native to Europe and Asia and is widely cultivated. It has scale-like leaves and an erect, multibranched stem that grows up to 3 m in height. The aerial stems or spears arising from rhizomes are consumed as a vegetable.
Is asparagus plant a fern?
Despite the common name, it is not a true fern, but is in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae) or the lily family (Liliaceae, which includes plants such as amaryllis, daylilies, hosta, and tulips) depending on the classification system used.
Is asparagus an angiosperm?
Asparagus is a genus of plants in the family Asparagaceae, an angiosperm family that is not universally recognized, as often the plants involved are treated as belonging to the family Liliaceae (Lily family). There are up to 300 species in Asparagus, all from the Old World.
Is asparagus technically a fruit?
Is asparagus a vegetable, a fruit, or an herb? Have you wondered too? Often seen as a sign that spring has come, asparagus is a delicious addition to many springtime dishes, including salads and veggie-filled frittatas. Asparagus is a nutrient-dense perennial vegetable that grows in temperate climates around the world.
Is cauliflower actually a flower?
Cauliflower is technically an edible flower. However, the flowers are not allowed to develop and instead form tight clusters. A head of cauliflower is also known as the curd. When cauliflower is growing, it looks more like its collard greens cousin until it begins to grow its characteristic head.
Do male asparagus have flowers?
Asparagus is dioecious, which means there are both male and female plants. Female asparagus produces seeds that look like little red berries. Male plants produce thicker, larger spears than females. The flowers on male plants are also larger and longer than those on females.
How do you identify asparagus?
The berries are green at first but become red by around September. The familiar spears grow at the base of the plant. They can be up to 30m long and have triangular shaped leaf scale towards the base. They are normally deep green but often they have a reddish tinge especially if they are grown in strong sunlight.
Are asparagus plants male and female?
Unlike some garden vegetables such as peas, which are self-pollinating, asparagus is dioecious, meaning some plants are male and some are female. To reproduce, a honeybee or some other pollinator has to visit the flowers of both male and female plants.
Why can’t you eat asparagus the first year?
Don’t harvest any asparagus spears during the first two years that plants are in the permanent bed because they need to put energy into establishing deep roots. During the third season, pick the spears over a four-week period, and by the fourth year, extend your harvest to eight weeks.
What happens if you eat too many asparagus?
Can you eat too much asparagus? There are no known side effects of eating too much asparagus, but in large quantities, the fiber in the vegetable may cause diarrhea, gas, or bloating.
Is eating asparagus everyday OK?
Asparagus is a nutritious and delicious vegetable that can be eaten every day. Low in calories and packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, it’s great to include in a fiber-rich diet to keep your digestive system healthy.