UoN The Hidden Half: Asparagus

Asparagus, Asparagus officinalis, is a well-known spring vegetable enjoyed since ancient times. A recipe including asparagus is included in one of the first known recipe books written by the romans in the 1st century AD. An unfortunate side effect to enjoying asparagus is the sulphurous smell detected in urine after eating the vegetable. This is caused by asparagusic acid. It is thought that although everyone produces this smell after eating asparagus not everyone can detect the smell!

This CT scan is of a soil core taken from a larger pot hence why the roots appear cut. Interestingly there are very thick roots which grow from a mass of tissue just below the soil. Underneath these very thick roots are much thinner ones that are able to grow further into the soil.