What is asparagus related to?

Asparagus, or garden asparagus, folk name sparrow grass, scientific name Asparagus officinalis, is a perennial flowering plant species in the genus Asparagus. It was once classified in the lily family, like the related Allium species, onions and garlic.

Then, what family is asparagus in?

Asparagus Family

Subsequently, question is, where is asparagus native to? Asparagus. Asparagus, (genus Asparagus), genus of the family Asparagaceae with up to 300 species native from Siberia to southern Africa. Best known is the garden asparagus (Asparagus officinalis), cultivated as a vegetable for its succulent spring stalks. Several African species are grown as ornamental plants.

Also, what part of asparagus is poisonous?

Young shoots of asparagus are only somewhat toxic to humans when raw. In most cases, they will only cause a mild reaction, according to North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension Service. When cooked, the toxicity of the edible part of the plant disappears.

Why is asparagus a stem?

Asparagus plants are dioecious which means that the male and female flowers are borne on different plants. Asparagus grows from an underground root system of fleshy storage roots attached to an underground stem called a rhizome and small feeder roots that absorb nutrients and water.

39 Related Question Answers Found

How do you eat asparagus?

Soak the asparagus for as long as it took to boil. Drain your spears using a colander or a paper towel. Serve blanched asparagus spears in salads, or eat them on their own with dressing and seasoning. For a simple and tasty dish, add a bit of coarse salt and a drizzle of olive oil to your asparagus before serving it.

Why is asparagus healthy?

It's low in calories and a great source of nutrients, including fiber, folate and vitamins A, C and K. Additionally, eating asparagus has a number of potential health benefits, including weight loss, improved digestion, healthy pregnancy outcomes and lower blood pressure.

Can you eat asparagus raw?

Asparagus is a highly nutritious vegetable that can be eaten cooked or raw. To reap the greatest health benefits, consider incorporating both cooked and raw asparagus into your diet.

Is Onion a vegetable?

The onion (Allium cepa L., from Latin cepa "onion"), also known as the bulb onion or common onion, is a vegetable that is the most widely cultivated species of the genus Allium. Its close relatives include the garlic, shallot, leek, chive, and Chinese onion.

Can you eat asparagus leaves?

Like the rhubarb, the part of the asparagus plant that we love – the young stems – are perfectly safe to eat. But the asparagus hides a deceptive, nasty secret: Its fruit, which are bright red berries, are toxic to humans.

Is corn a fruit?

To complicate things a little more, many grains including popcorn are considered to be a fruit. This is because they come from the seed or flower part of the plant. In contrast, vegetables are from the leaves, stems, and other parts of a plant. So, corn is actually a vegetable, a whole grain, and a fruit.

Is asparagus a fungus?

Asparagus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Asparagoideae. It comprises up to 300 species.

Asparagus (genus)

Asparagus
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Asparagaceae

Is garlic a vegetable?

Botanically, garlic (Allium sativum) is considered a vegetable. It belongs to the onion family, alongside shallots, leeks, and chives (2). Strictly speaking, a vegetable is any edible part of an herbaceous plant, such as the roots, leaves, stems, and bulbs. Therefore, it's botanically considered a vegetable.

When should you not eat rhubarb?

Rhubarb Stalks Become Toxic in Summer

There are two good reasons not to eat them in summer. They tend to get woody in late summer and don't taste as good. If you harvest too many stalks in spring, the plant needs some leaves to grow food for next years crop.

Do you have to wash asparagus before cooking?

How to Clean Asparagus. Rinse the spears under cool water to remove any grit. Snap off the bottom inch or so using your fingers; the stems will naturally break where the tough woody part ends and the tender stem begins. Dry the spears by rolling them between two kitchen towels.

Does asparagus have arsenic in it?

Marsh fern and Asparagus fern can both accumulate arsenic. The asparagus fern is arsenic tolerant (bioaccumulation factors < 10), but is not considered a good potential phytoremediation candidate.

Can you eat asparagus stems?

The reason asparagus ends are thought to be inedible, is that they are extremely tough and fibrous, like a freshly broken tree branch. You can gnaw on them, but you're certainly not going to eat them. But the asparagus ends still have great flavor.

Can you eat asparagus skin?

Why Peel Asparagus

Peeling asparagus doesn't just make it prettier—it also makes more of the stalk tender and edible. If you have a bit of extra time, it's the best way to prepare asparagus to eat. Eschew any mushy or wet-looking tips, and be sure to avoid asparagus with cut ends that look too dried out or have cracks.

Can you eat green potatoes?

Green potatoes should be taken seriously. Although the green color itself is not harmful, it may indicate the presence of a toxin called solanine. Peeling green potatoes can help reduce solanine levels, but once a potato has turned green, it's best to throw it away.

Do you peel asparagus?

The bottom woody inch or two of any asparagus should be discarded. Whether or not you peel the stalks depends upon their thickness. The larger the asparagus, the tougher the peel, and the more likely they are to need peeling. I usually peel the stalks if the asparagus is 1/2-inch in diameter or larger.

Are tomatoes toxic?

The tomato, as a member of the Nightshade family, contains a bitter poisonous alkaloid called "Solanine". Solanine is toxic to humans, but it requires a concentrated amount to induce sickness. But for a cat, on the other side, traces of Solanin, like those found in just a 100g of cherry tomatoes, can be fatal!

What are the red berries on asparagus?

The red berries on an asparagus plant contain seeds, which are used for reproduction. These red berries usually only grow on female asparagus plants, although both male and female plants have flowers. Both male and female plants must be planted together in order for female plants to produce these berries.