''Asparagaceae''
Asparagaceae, known as the asparagus family, is a family of flowering plants, placed in the order Asparagales of the monocots.[1] 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, yucca, bluebell, and hosta, and the houseplants include snake plant, corn cane, spider plant and plumosus fern.
Asparagus officinalis
Water makes up 93% of asparagus's composition.[2] Asparagus is low in food energy and very low in sodium. It is a good source of vitamin B6, 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, folic acid, iron, phosphorus, potassium, copper, manganese, and selenium,[3][4] as well as chromium, a trace mineral that regulates the ability of insulin to transport glucose from the bloodstream into cells.[5] 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.[6] 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.[7][8] As in continental Europe, due to the short growing season and demand for local produce, asparagus commands a premium price.
Ruscus aculeatus
References
- ↑ Angiosperm Phylogeny Group III (2009). "An update of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification for the orders and families of flowering plants: APG III". Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 161 (2): 105–121. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8339.2009.00996.x.
- ↑ Snyder, Harry. (1908). "Human Foods and their Nutritive value". The MacMillan Company.
- ↑ "Nutrition Facts".
- ↑ USDA Agricultural Research Service Data section 11 (pg 61) Archived 13 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ Anderson, R A (October 1997). "Nutritional factors influencing the glucose/insulin system: chromium". Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 16 (5): 404–410. doi:10.1080/07315724.1997.10718705. ISSN 0731-5724. PMID 9322187.
- ↑ Blamey, M. & Grey-Wilson, C. (1989). Flora of Britain and Northern Europe. ISBN 0-340-40170-2.
- ↑ Oxford Times: "Time to glory in asparagus again". Archived 7 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ "Page Redirection". Archived from the original on 16 March 2009. Retrieved 3 March 2009. Unknown parameter
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