Practical
Plants

Asparagus cochinchinensis

Chinese Asparagus

a perennial member of the Asparagus genus in the family Asparagaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
1.5 m
Spread
1 m
Fertility
Self sterile, Bees
Flower type
dioecious
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Tubers - cooked[1][16][4]. The tubers are up to 5cm long and 2m wide[12]. They are washed to remove the bitterness, the fibrous core is removed and the root is then boiled[14][6]. It tastes like asparagus[10]. Another report says that the tubers are eaten after preserving in sugar[7]. The fruit is said to be edible[7]. The fruit is about 6 - 8mm in diameter[8]. Another report says that the berries are harmful if eaten[11].

Plant part
Fruit
Plant part
Root

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

This species has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years[11]. The dried root is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antiseptic, antitussive, diuretic, expectorant, nervine, sialagogue, stomachic, nervous stimulant and tonic[3][5][9][11][13]. It is taken internally in the treatment of fevers, debility, sore throats, coughs etc[11]. It is often decocted with other herbs and used in the treatment of a wide range of ailments including diabetes mellitus[9]. Prolonged usage is recommended for the treatment of impotence[9]. The root is harvested when the plant is dormant and is dried for later use[11]. The plant has a folk history for the treatment of cancer, modern research has detected antitumour activity and it is now being studied for the treatment of lung cancer[9].

Product or use
Antibacterial
Product or use
Antiinflammatory
Product or use
Antipyretic
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Antitussive
Product or use
Cancer
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Infertility
Product or use
Nervine
Product or use
Sialagogue
Product or use
Stomachic
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Kills the larvae of flies and mosquitoes[3]. No more details.

Product or use
Insecticide

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.
Habitat
Near seashores all over Japan[15]. Thinly forested slopes, roadsides and waste fields from near sea level to 1700 metres in China[12].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - pre-soak for 12 hours in warm water and then sow in spring or as soon as the seed is ripe in early autumn in a greenhouse. It usually germinates in 3 - 6 weeks at 25°c[2]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a sunny position in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer[K]. Division in early spring as the plant comes into growth.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Easily grown in any good garden soil[8]. Prefers a rich light well-drained sandy loam in a sunny position[11]. Plants are almost hardy in Britain according to one report[1], whilst others say that the plants tolerate temperatures down to between -10 and -15°c[8][11]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00

    ↩

  3. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  5. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩

  6. Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 1977-00-00

    ↩

  7. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  8. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  10. Sholto-Douglas. J. Alternative Foods.

    ↩

  11. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  12. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

    ↩1↩2

  13. Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea World Health Organisation, Manila 1998-00-00 ISBN 92 9061 120 0

    ↩

  14. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  15. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

    ↩

  16. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

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