1. Asparagus

2. Classification Kingdom: Plantae – Plants Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants Class: Liliopsida – Monocotyledons Subclass: Liliidae Order: Liliales Family: Liliaceae – Lily family Genus: Asparagus L. Species: A. officinalis

3. Location Asparagus is grown around the world with the top producers being China followed by Peru, and Germany The plant is indigenous to the Western coasts of Europe

4. Morphology Herbaceous perennial plant can grow 2-7 feet tall Flowers are bell shaped with six tepal fused together at the base “leaves” are needle-like cladodes (modified stems) Roots system is adventitious Fruit is a small red berry

5. Berries and Flowers

6. Cultivation Climate: grows well in mild to cold climates and withstands frost Location: Needs full sun to grow Soil: Well drained, sandy with a pH of 6.5-7.0 Planting: dig trenches 10” wide, 8” deep Harvesting: Harvest in early spring starting after the third year. Harvest by cutting just below the soil level making sure not to damage new shoots

7. Plant Uses Plant Uses It’s served in a number of ways around the world, typically as an appetizer or vegetable side dish. It’s also commonly used in stir-fry. The amino acid asparagine gets its name from asparagus because the plants contain high amounts of the amino acid. This food is very low in cholesterol and sodium, and it contains high levels of vitamins and minerals.

8. Serving Size = 1 Cup

9. Fights Diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's Fights Diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's: antioxidant called glutathione (GSH) Relieves Arthritis: Relieves Arthritis: contains a phytochemical, which produces anti-inflammatory effects Controls Diabetes: Controls Diabetes: has minerals that are essential for controlling blood sugar Prevents Birth Defects: Prevents Birth Defects: foliate help protect against neural tube defects Maintains Digestive system: Maintains Digestive system: contains inulin, which feeds natural bacteria living in the intestine

10. References http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asparagus#Medicin al http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asparagus#Medicin al http://www.howtogardenadvice.com/vegetables/ grow_asparagus.html http://www.howtogardenadvice.com/vegetables/ grow_asparagus.html http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables- and-vegetable-products/2316/2 http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables- and-vegetable-products/2316/2 http://plants.usda.gov/java/ClassificationServlet? source=display&classid=ASPAR http://plants.usda.gov/java/ClassificationServlet? source=display&classid=ASPAR http://nutrition.indobase.com/articles/asparagus -nutrition.php http://nutrition.indobase.com/articles/asparagus -nutrition.php