View source for ''Asparagaceae''

''Asparagaceae'', known as the asparagus family, is a family of [[flowering plant]]s, placed in the [[Order (biology)|order]] [[Asparagales]] of the [[monocot]]s.<ref name="APG3">{{Cite journal |last=Angiosperm Phylogeny Group III|year=2009 |title=An update of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification for the orders and families of flowering plants: APG III |journal=Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society|volume=161 |issue=2|pages=105–121|doi=10.1111/j.1095-8339.2009.00996.x }}</ref> The family name is based on the edible garden asparagus, ''[[Asparagus officinalis]]''.  Those who live in the temperate climates may be surprised to learn that this family includes both common garden plants as well as common houseplants.  The garden plants include [[Asparagus officinalis|asparagus]], [[Yucca filamentosa|yucca]], [[Hyacinthoides non-scripta|bluebell]], and [[hosta]],  and the houseplants include [[Dracaena trifasciata|snake plant]], [[Dracaena fragrans|corn cane]], [[Chlorophytum comosum|spider plant]] and plumosus fern.

==''Asparagus officinalis''==

Water makes up 93% of asparagus's composition.<ref name=Snyder>Snyder, Harry. (1908). "Human Foods and their Nutritive value". The MacMillan Company.</ref> Asparagus is low in [[food energy]] and very low in sodium. It is a good source of [[vitamin B6|vitamin B<sub>6</sub>]], calcium, magnesium, and zinc, and a very good source of [[dietary fibre]], protein, beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamin, riboflavin, [[rutin]], [[Niacin (nutrient)|niacin]], [[folic acid]], iron, phosphorus, [[potassium]], copper, manganese, and selenium,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2311/2|title=Nutrition Facts}}</ref><ref>[http://www.ars.usda.gov/SP2UserFiles/Place/12354500/Data/SR23/reports/sr23fg11.pdf USDA Agricultural Research Service Data section 11 (pg 61)] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113064505/http://www.ars.usda.gov/SP2UserFiles/Place/12354500/Data/SR23/reports/sr23fg11.pdf |date=13 January 2012 }}</ref> as well as [[chromium]], a trace mineral that regulates the ability of insulin to transport glucose from the bloodstream into cells.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Anderson|first=R A|date=October 1997|title=Nutritional factors influencing the glucose/insulin system: chromium.|journal=Journal of the American College of Nutrition|volume=16|issue=5|pages=404–410|doi=10.1080/07315724.1997.10718705|pmid=9322187|issn=0731-5724}}</ref> The [[amino acid]] [[asparagine]] gets its name from asparagus, from which it was first isolated, as the asparagus plant is relatively rich in this compound.

Green asparagus is eaten worldwide, and the availability of imports throughout the year has made it less of a delicacy than it once was.<ref name="blamey">Blamey, M. & Grey-Wilson, C. (1989). ''Flora of Britain and Northern Europe''. {{ISBN|0-340-40170-2}}.</ref> In Europe, according to one source, the "asparagus season is a highlight of the [[foodie]] calendar"; in the UK this traditionally begins on 23 April and ends on [[Midsummer]] Day.<ref>[http://www.oxfordtimes.co.uk/leisure/4329516.Time_to_glory_in_asparagus_again/ ''Oxford Times'': "Time to glory in asparagus again".] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090907192444/http://www.oxfordtimes.co.uk/leisure/4329516.Time_to_glory_in_asparagus_again/ |date=7 September 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.british-asparagus.co.uk/|title=Page Redirection|access-date=3 March 2009|archive-date=16 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090316131257/http://www.british-asparagus.co.uk/|url-status=dead}}</ref> As in continental Europe, due to the short growing season and demand for local produce, asparagus commands a premium price.

==''Ruscus aculeatus''==

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==

<!-- footer templates -->
{{tlx|Medicine resources}}

<!-- categories -->
[[Category:Agronomy]]
[[Category:Biochemistry]]
[[Category:Horticulture]]
[[Category:Humanities]]
[[Category:Immunology]]
[[Category:Psychiatry]]
[[Category:Vitamins]]