Asparagus racemosus aka Asparagus Fern

Asparagus racemosus, or shatavari, belongs to the asparagus family. This climber lives for more than one year. Its native range runs from tropical Africa to northern Australia. It also grows across Arabia and tropical Asia. Kew places it in the tropics with a dry season. It grows in woods, on stream banks, and in valleys. Records also place it in the Himalayas and western China.

The plant grows climbing stems from a rootstock with tubers. Reported heights range from about 16 feet [5 metres] to 23 feet [7 metres]. These heights do not give its measured spread in gardens. Its roots reach about 2–5 inches [0.05–0.13 metres] long. PFAF lists July to August as the bloom season. Bees visit the flowers and pollinate them. The sources disagree on whether flowers have separate sexes. They thus leave unclear what the plant needs to set seed.

Grow shatavari in sun or part shade. Give it soil that drains well. It accepts sand, loam, and clay but prefers rich sandy loam. Soil can be slightly acid, neutral, or slightly alkaline. PFAF says dry or moist ground suits it. Useful Tropical Plants says it needs a clear dry season. It tends not to grow in the wettest tropical regions. These accounts favour a dry season over soil that stays wet.

Frost limits where this plant can grow outdoors all year. The sources say frost harms it, yet list USDA zones 8–11. In cold areas, gardeners can lift the tubers in autumn. Keep them cool and free from frost until planting in spring. PFAF lists garden beds and spots by south- or west-facing walls. Raise new plants from seed or by dividing them in spring. Soak seeds in warm water for 12 hours before sowing. At 25°C, seeds tend to sprout in three to six weeks. Keep young plants under glass for their first winter.

People cook the tender shoots as a vegetable. They also use blanched shoots in preserves and candy the tubers. The roots have a long history in Ayurvedic medicine. Uses focus on problems with reproduction and digestion, among other conditions. These records show past use, not proof of safe treatment. People also use root juice to wash clothes. Wild root harvest has raised fears for the plant in some areas. Both plant-use sources report no known hazards. That does not prove safety for each person or pet. The supplied evidence names no pests or diseases.