Asparagus is the largest genus in Asparagaceae and consists of approximately 200 species, which are distributed throughout the old world. All Asparagus species are characterized by the presence of photosynthetic stems called cladodes, even though they are represented by diverse life forms, such as herbaceous perennials, tender woody shrubs and vines. The name Asparagus is derived from the Greek words, Asparagos, for the cultivated asparagus, and is possibly derived from a, meaning ‘intensive’, and sparassa, ‘to tear’, referring to the sharp spines of many species. The name virgatus comes from the Latin word virga meaning ‘twig’ or ‘stalk’, in reference to the way the leaves cluster at the top of the stems.