This species is closely allied to Asparagus racemosus, and can only be distinguished by a combination of characters[].

Common Name: Chinese Asparagus

General Information

Asparagus cochinchinensis is a climbing, perennial plant producing a cluster of stems 1 - 2 metres long from a tuberous rootstock[].
The plant is often gathered from the wild for use in traditional medicine, and the roots are sometimes used locally for food. The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines

Habitat

Thinly forested slopes, roadsides, waste fields; from near sea level to 1,700 metres[]. Near seashores all over Japan[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial Climber
Height	1.50 m
Pollinators	Bees
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the warm temperate, subtropical and tropical zones, being found in China in hardiness zones from 7 upwards. Plants are said to tolerate winter temperatures falling occasionally to between -10 and -15°c[, ].
Easily grown in any good garden soil[]. Prefers a rich light well-drained sandy loam in a sunny position[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

Tubers - cooked[, , ]. The tubers are up to 5cm long and 2m wide[]. They are washed to remove the bitterness, the fibrous core is removed and the root is then boiled[, ]. It tastes like asparagus[]. Another report says that the tubers are eaten after preserving in sugar[].

The fruit is said to be edible[]. The fruit is about 6 - 8mm in diameter[]. Another report says that the berries are harmful if eaten[].

Medicinal

This species has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years[].

The roots contain asparagine, mucilage, starch and sugars[]. The dried root is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antiseptic, antitussive, diuretic, expectorant, nervine, sialagogue, stomachic, nervous stimulant and tonic[, , , , ]. It is taken internally in the treatment of fevers, debility, sore throats, coughs etc[]. It is often decocted with other herbs and used in the treatment of a wide range of ailments including diabetes mellitus[]. It is commonly used in restorative recipes together with Rehmannia glutinosa and Codonopsis javanica[]. Prolonged usage is recommended for the treatment of impotence[].

The plant has a folk history for the treatment of cancer, modern research has detected antitumor activity and it is now being studied for the treatment of lung cancer[].

The root is harvested when the plant is dormant and is dried for later use[].
The roots. collected in winter and spring. are soaked in water or steamed and then sun-dried. The cores are removed and the roots are then soaked in alcohol and heat-dried before use[].

Other Uses

Kills the larvae of flies and mosquitoes[]. No more details.

Propagation

Seed - pre-soak for 12 hours in warm water and then sow in spring or as soon as the seed is ripe in early autumn in a greenhouse. It usually germinates in 3 - 6 weeks at 25°c[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a sunny position in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer[].
Division in early spring as the plant comes into growth.