Are Asparagus Plants Poisonous or Not? Home Guides

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Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is a perennial vegetable, growing in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 to 8, where average minimal temperatures stay above minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The young spears from this fast-growing plant are edible, but when left alone will produce a plant 5 to 6 feet tall with branches and berries. Different types and different growing stages of asparagus can be toxic to both humans and animals.

Toxicity Young shoots of asparagus are only somewhat toxic to humans when raw. In most cases, they will only cause a mild reaction, according to North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension Service. When cooked, the toxicity of the edible part of the plant disappears. The unharvested plants will grow woody stems and produce small red berries about 6 to 10 millimeters in diameter. These are also mildly poisonous, causing discomfort after ingestion.

Symptoms People with asparagus allergies and those who come in contact with a great deal of young asparagus shoots tend to display symptoms more often than the general population. This usually takes the form of contact dermatitis, a rash that appears at the points of contact. This is thought to be caused by the sulfur-containing growth inhibitor 1,2,3-Trithiane-5-carboxylic acid, according to the New Zealand Dermatological Society. Eating more than a handful of ripe berries from the asparagus plant may cause abdominal pain and vomiting.

Proper Preparation North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension Service advises cooking the young edible shoots to eliminate any toxicity that may be present. Harvest the stems when they are 6 to 10 inches high, before any budding begins. Make sure that they have not been treated with pesticides and wash thoroughly before cooking to remove dirt and debris. Steam, grill or boil the stalks to your liking to render them toxic-free.

Asparagus Fern Asparagus fern (Asparagus densiflorus) is related to the asparagus plant and is very similar, except that it lacks the edible stalk in the beginning. The berries of this plant cause the same intestinal reaction as those from the edible asparagus plant. Contact with the sap produced from this plant causes a low-level rash, usually only lasting a few minutes. Asparagus fern is toxic to cats and dogs, causing skin irritation with exposure to the sap and gastrointestinal issues with consumption of the berries.

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