"The mature beetle in life rivals asparagi in beauty, but may be distinguished by its much broader elytra and its color. The ground color is orange red; each elytron is marked with six black dots, and the knees and a portion of the under surface of the thorax are also marked with black. The beetle, as it occurs on the plant when in fruit, very closely resembles at a little distance the ripening asparagus berry."—Government Printing Office, 1897

Crioceris 12-Punctata

"The mature beetle in life rivals asparagi in beauty, but may be distinguished by its much broader elytra…

"Asparagus. a, a young shoot; b, flowers; c, the upper end of a stem, showing branches, leaves, and fruit (all reduced.)" — Chambers' Encyclopedia, 1875

Asparagus

"Asparagus. a, a young shoot; b, flowers; c, the upper end of a stem, showing branches, leaves, and…

Young shoot of asparagus.

Asparagus

Young shoot of asparagus.

Upper end of stem, showing leaves of asparagus.

Asparagus

Upper end of stem, showing leaves of asparagus.

<I>Asparagus asparagoides</I> is also known as smilax of florists. The stems are slender and branched. The flowers are greenish white.

Asparagus Asparagoides

Asparagus asparagoides is also known as smilax of florists. The stems are slender and branched. The…

The edible part of asparagus plumosus nanus grows at the tips of the branchlets. The plumosus nanus is a dwarf variety of plumosus.

Asparagus Plumosus Nanus

The edible part of asparagus plumosus nanus grows at the tips of the branchlets. The plumosus nanus…

The common name of <I>Asparagus plumosus</I> is asparagus fern. The nanus variety has dense, horizontally spreading fronds. The stems are often short.

Nanus Variety of Asparagus Plumosus

The common name of Asparagus plumosus is asparagus fern. The nanus variety has dense, horizontally spreading…

The tenuissimus variety of <I>Asparagus plumosus</I> is a wiry stemmed variety with fewer leaf-like branches. The plant has a distinct blue-green color.

Tenuissimus Variety of Asparagus Plumosus

The tenuissimus variety of Asparagus plumosus is a wiry stemmed variety with fewer leaf-like branches.…

The flowers of <I>Asparagus sprengeri</I> are whitish pink, fragrant, and appear in May and June. The plant grows six feet or less tall.

Asparagus Sprengeri

The flowers of Asparagus sprengeri are whitish pink, fragrant, and appear in May and June. The plant…

Pictured is a strong new shoot of <I>Asparagus sprengeri</I>.

Shoot of Asparagus Sprengeri

Pictured is a strong new shoot of Asparagus sprengeri.

A spring vegetable native to most of Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia.

Bunch of Asparagus

A spring vegetable native to most of Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia.

There are several varieties of asparagus. The most popular varieties are Connover's Colossal and Giant. Asparagus season is in the spring.

Asparagus Crown for Lifting

There are several varieties of asparagus. The most popular varieties are Connover's Colossal and Giant.…

Shown are the leaves and branches of common asparagus. Branches arise from part a and at b clusters of branchlets or leaves are shown.

Leaves and Branches of Asparagus

Shown are the leaves and branches of common asparagus. Branches arise from part a and at b clusters…

Also known as Crioceris asparagi.Spray of asparagus, with common asparagus beetle in its different stages. This beetle feeds only on asparagus, and it strips the leaves of the plant to prevent it from photosynthesizing.

Asparagus Beetle

Also known as Crioceris asparagi.Spray of asparagus, with common asparagus beetle in its different stages.…

Also known as crioceris asparagi. A-Beetle; B-Egg; C-Newly hatched larva; D-Full-grown larva; E-Pupa

The Life Cycle of the Asparagus Beetle

Also known as crioceris asparagi. A-Beetle; B-Egg; C-Newly hatched larva; D-Full-grown larva; E-Pupa

"This vegetable produces blanched shoots which are cooked and eaten in the same manner as asparagus."&mdash;Rawson, 1892

Sea Kale

"This vegetable produces blanched shoots which are cooked and eaten in the same manner as asparagus."—Rawson,…

Also known as megilla maculata. A-Larva; B-Empty skin; C-Beetle with enlarged antenna above.

Spotted Ladybird

Also known as megilla maculata. A-Larva; B-Empty skin; C-Beetle with enlarged antenna above.

An asparagus fern, this fern style plant is native to southern parts of Africa.

Asparagus Plumosus

An asparagus fern, this fern style plant is native to southern parts of Africa.