Asparagus officinalis
Common name
asparagus
Family
Asparagaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Exotic
Structural class
Herbs - Monocots
Flower colours
Cream, White
Year naturalised
1870
Origin
Europe, W. Asia, Siberia, N. Africa
Etymology
asparagus: An old Greek name for this plant possibly derived from a- (an intensifier) and sparasso ‘to tear’, referring to the prickles of some species
officinalis: From the Latin officina shortened from opificina which originally meant ‘workshop’ but later came to mean a monastic storeroom, herb-room or pharmacy. Refers to the plant’s real or perceived medicinal value.
Poisonous plant:
Small red berries are mildly poisonous.