Classification (APG IV)
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Aspargales
Family: Aspargaceae
Genus: Asparagus
Species: Asparagus - Asparagus officinalis L.

Botanical Description
Asparagus is a perennial plant that grows between 1.5 and 2 meters in height and has dioecious flowers. The bell-shaped flowers are either yellowish or greenish-white, measuring between 4.5 and 6.5 mm in length. The plant's root system consists of a short, unbranched rhizome capable of sustaining plant growth for up to 15–20 years. Thick shoots develop from the upper part of the rhizome.

The fruit is a red berry containing one or two seeds. The berry has a diameter of approximately 6–10 mm and is trilocular. As the plant matures, its stem becomes woody. The stem is erect, heavily branched, and bears light green, needle-like leaves ranging from 1 to 3 cm in length. [3]

Distribution

In Estonia, common asparagus grows naturally along the coastal areas and islets of western Estonia. The species is native to the northern coast of Spain and has also been observed spreading across the British Isles. [3]

Effects and Usage
Asparagus is a good source of minerals, including phosphorus, potassium, sodium, selenium, and iron. [2] The roots and rhizomes contain steroids (asparagosides), saponins, amino acids (aspartic acid and its derivatives). The aerial parts of the plant contain flavonoids, steroidal saponins, phenols, and carotenoids. [4]

Young asparagus shoots are edible, whereas branched stems are unsuitable for consumption. Common asparagus is typically harvested for food from March to late June. For higher yields, the shoots are blanched by covering them with a substrate during growth. [1] The underground parts of the plant are used in the treatment of kidney and gastric disorders, as well as diabetes. The aerial parts serve as a diuretic for alleviating heart, kidney, and bladder ailments. The berries have been used in folk medicine for treating impotence and as a mild laxative, though they are slightly toxic. [4]

In Estonia, asparagus is cultivated both as an ornamental plant and as a vegetable crop. [3]

References
1. Mans, D., Rao, L., Rao, V. (2020). Phytochemicals in Human Health. IntechOpen.
2. Guo, Y., Liu, Z., Wan, Y., Zhang, Y., Abdu, H. I., Yang, M., Pei, J., Yue, T., Zhang, X., Hacimuftuoglu, A., & Abd El-Aty, A. M. (2023). Literature analysis on asparagus roots and review of its functional characterizations. Frontiers in Nutrition, 9, 1024190. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.1024190
3. Gustav, V. (1993). Eesti taimenimetused. Eesti Teaduste Akadeemia.
4. Raal, A. (2010). Maailma ravimtaimede entsüklopeedia. Tallinn: Eesti Entsüklopeediakirjastus.

Süstemaatiline kuuluvus (APG IV)
Riik: Taimed (Plantae)
Klaad: Soontaimed (Tracheophyta)
Klaad: Katteseemnetaimed (Angiospermae)
Klaad: Üheidulehelised (Monocotyledon)
Selts: Asparilaadsed (Asparagales)
Sugukond: Asparilised (Asparagaceae)
Perekond: Aspar (Asparagus)
Liik: Harilik aspar - Asparagus officinalis L.

Botaaniline kirjeldus
Harilik aspar on mitmeaastane 1,5–2 kõrgune kahekojalise õiega taim. Taimel on kellukakujulised õied, mis esinevad kollases või rohekasvalges värvis. Õite pikkus on 4,5—6,5 mm vahemikus. Taime juur esineb lühikese risoomina, mis on harunemata. Risoom on võimeline areneda taime kuni 15–20 aastat. Jämedad võrsed arenevad risoomi ülemisest osast. Vili on punane mari, mis omab 1–2 seemet. Vilja läbimõõt on ligikaudu 6—10 mm ja on kolmekambriline. Vars, mis on jõudnud täiskasvanu staadiumini, puitub. Taime vars on püstine ning tugevasti harunenud. Varrel kasvavad 1—3 cm pikkused helerohelised nõeljad lehed. [3]

Levila
Eestis kasvab harilik aspar läänesaarte rannikul ja laidudel. Looduslikult kasvab harilik aspar Põhja-Hispaania rannikul. Täheldatakse ka hariliku apsari levimist Briti saartel. [3]

Toime ja kasutamine
Taim on hea mineraalainete (sh fosfori, kaaliumi, naatriumi, seleeni ja raua) allikas. [2] Juured ja risoomid sisaldavad steroide (asparagosiide), saponiine, aminohappeid (asparthape ja selle derivaadi). Ürt sisaldab flavinoide, steroidseid saponiine, fenoole, karotenoide. [4]

Toiduks tarvitatakse noori võrseid. Vars, mis on juba harunenud, toiduks ei sobi. Hariliku apsarit kasutatakse söögiks tavaliselt märtsist juuni lõpuni. Suurema saagi eesmärgil võrseid pleegitatakse kattes neid kasvades substraadiga. [1] Maa-aluseid osi kasutatakse neeru-ja maohaiguste ning suhkrutõve korral. Ürti aga kui diureetilist vahendit südame-, neeru-ja kusepõiehaiguste leevendamiseks. Marju on tarvitatud impotentsuse korral ja kõhukinnistina. Marjad on pisut mürgised. [4]

Eestis kasvatatakse asparit nii ilu-kui ka köögiviljataimena. [3]

Kasutatud allikad
1. Mans, D., Rao, L., Rao, V. (2020). Phytochemicals in Human Health. IntechOpen.
2. Guo, Y., Liu, Z., Wan, Y., Zhang, Y., Abdu, H. I., Yang, M., Pei, J., Yue, T., Zhang, X., Hacimuftuoglu, A., & Abd El-Aty, A. M. (2023). Literature analysis on asparagus roots and review of its functional characterizations. Frontiers in nutrition, 9, 1024190. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.1024190 
3. Gustav, V. (1993). Eesti taimenimetused. Eesti Teaduste Akadeemia
4. Raal, A. (2010). Maailma ravimtaimede entsüklopeedia. Tallinn: Eesti Entsüklopeediakirjastus