The green stalk of Asparagus looks like a stem, while the tips resemble a flower, making us wonder if Asparagus is a fruit or a vegetable.
So, follow along to uncover the truth about the categorization of Asparagus.
Is Asparagus A Stem Or Leaf?
Belonging to the Asparagaceae family, Asparagus is an herbaceous plant that grows in mild climatic conditions.
Unlike Asparagus Fern, the superfood Asparagus is rich in vitamins like A, C, E, K, and B6, with minerals, iron, copper, and many more.
And scientific research backups medical benefits like improved digestion, brain boosters, and increased milk production in lactating mothers.
Interestingly, all benefits are present in the young edible part of Asparagus, known as spears.
However, many confuse the Asparagus spear for a modified leaf, which is technically untrue since they have distinct leaves.
They boast hairy and scale-like leaves emerging from the underground stem.
As the plant finds a suitable warmth of more than 55°F in the spring, the last season crown starts producing young shoots.
Once the shoots are about 7-10 inches tall, Asparagus is ready to pick.
If you leave the shoots unpicked, the shoot shall excel in height and spread. The central stem grows and laterally branches with fern-like leaves.
So the Asparagus you have in your soup or as a side is not a leaf but a young shoot.
Is Asparagus A Fruit Or A Root?
Botanically, a fruit is a ripen-mature ovary formed after fertilization with some seeds inside.
And a root is a portion of a plant beneath the ground responsible for fulfilling the plant’s nutrition.
What we consume as Asparagus is a shoot from the underground crown. Also, it doesn’t directly involve the uptake of nutrients from the soil.
As Asparagus fails to bear seeds and deliver the nutrients, it is neither a fruit nor a root.
But, since we cook Asparagus and then eat it, you can classify it as a vegetable.
Moreover, Asparagus grows well with basil as a companion but not with blackberry, as it can compete with Asparagus’s needs.
From Editorial Team
Extra Tips!
Do not pick the first year’s spears to get a better return from your Aparagus plant.
Rather, let them grow into an entire plant for better crown size. This would help you have a longer harvest time in the coming year.
