Despite its name, the Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena braunii) is in fact, not a bamboo at all. Rather, it belongs to the Asparagus family, and is more related to plants such as agaves, yuccas and of course, the asparagus.
A distant cousin of the onion, the distinguished asparagus is also a member of the lilaceae family. Its history goes back as far as that of the leek and has been consumed for over 2000 years. This garden plant originated in the eastern Mediterranean countries and traces of wild varieties have been discovered in Africa.
What family does asparagus belong 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.
The Liliaceae family
A few examples: garlic, asparagus, chives, shallots, onions, and leeks.
What plant did asparagus come from?
Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) is a member of the Liliaceae family whose origin is believed to be the eastern Mediterranean and further east, in the Caucasus Mountains. It is a perennial and monocotyledonous plant that is grown for its edible stems (spears).
Is asparagus a man made vegetable?
Asparagus is considered “man-made” through the process of selective breeding. It was bred to improve specific characteristics like its size and taste.
What part of asparagus is poisonous?
berries
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.
Yucca, the wild edible, spelled with 2 c’s, is in the asparagaceae family, and is related to asparagus. It is completely unrelated to the plant yuca, spelled with one c, manihot esculenta, also known as cassava or manioc, used to make tapioca.
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 dogs eat asparagus?
Asparagus is a yummy vegetable that is packed with vitamins and minerals. It’s a very healthy food for humans, but is it also healthy for dogs? Asparagus is not toxic for dogs, so they can safely eat it.
What country eats the most asparagus?
Global Asparagus Consumption
Moreover, asparagus consumption in China surpassed the figures recorded by Peru more than tenfold. They were followed by Germany with a X% of global consumption share and Mexico with a X% share.
What is a single asparagus called?
So, when we say asparagus, we are referring to a group item, and we already mean “more than one spear of asparagus.” The word asparagus means the same as ‘some asparagus‘ or ‘some spears of asparagus. ‘
Is asparagus a lily?
Asparagus (genus)
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 an invasive species?
The scientific name is Asparagus aethiopicus, originally from South Africa, and is listed on the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council’s 2017 List of Invasive Plant Species as a Category 1 invasive.
Can you eat asparagus raw?
Asparagus is a highly nutritious vegetable that can be eaten cooked or raw. Because of its tough texture, cooking is the most popular preparation method. However, thinly sliced or marinated raw spears can be equally enjoyable.
What is the only man made vegetable?
Cucumbers. Even though cucumbers are technically a fruit, they belong to vegetable groups and are also man-made. The cultivation of cucumbers has happened for over 3,000 years. The cucumbers we eat today originate from spiky fruits known as Cucumis hystrix, or wild cucumbers originating in India.
Is Strawberry man made?
1 Strawberry
The modern strawberry is a man-made hybrid of the smaller wild strawberry, which has a shorter shelf life as well as a better flavor and aroma. The modern strawberry first appeared in France in the 18th century. However, the hybridization program began much earlier.
Which vegetables are not man made?
Many vegetables are not man-made.
Other natural vegetables include:
- Amaranth greens, wild arugula.
- Bell peppers, chayote.
- Cucumber, dandelion greens.
- Garbanzo beans.
- Lettuce (all, except Iceberg)
- Okra, olives.
- Squash, turnip greens.
- Watercress.
Does asparagus cleanse your kidneys?
Asparagus can act as a natural diuretic, according to a 2010 study published in the West Indian Medical Journal. This can help rid the body of excess salt and fluid, making it especially good for people suffering from edema and high blood pressure. It also helps flush out toxins in kidneys and prevent kidney stones.
Are you supposed to eat the top of asparagus?
The ends of asparagus can be tough and woody, so it is advisable to cut them before eating or cooking the vegetable.
Does asparagus have arsenic in it?
Important asparagus culture info — A unique concern with asparagus is that it accumulates the heavy metal arsenic. Asparagus has an affinity for arsenic and adds it to its growing tissue, usually in such small quantities that it is actually good for you.
Lorraine Wade is all about natural food. She loves to cook and bake, and she’s always experimenting with new recipes. Her friends and family are the lucky beneficiaries of her culinary skills! Lorraine also enjoys hiking and exploring nature. She’s a friendly person who loves to chat with others, and she’s always looking for ways to help out in her community.