Asparagus

Asparagus, the young annual leafy shoots of the Liliaceous Asparagus officinalis, a native of our coasts, cultivated since Roman times, is now in enormous request, and is largely imported. The fully-grown plant is much branched, bearing its minute flowers and round scarlet fruits on little twig-like green branches. Several species are cultivated for the sake of this feathery spray. There are various uses to which asparagus is put, but it is most generally employed as a vegetable.