Shatamuli / Asparagus
Asparagus racemosus
Also known as Wild Asparagus
- Habit
- Climbing shrub
- Found in India
- Rajasthan, Karnataka, Telangana & more
- Flowering
- September-June
Plant Details
- Scientific name
- Asparagus racemosus
- Genus
- Asparagus
- Family
- Liliaceae
- Habit
- Climbing shrub
- Habitat
- All forest types, also in the plains
- Habitat type
- Forest
- Distribution
- Africa through South Asia to China, Malaysia and Northern Australia
- Found in India
- Rajasthan, Karnataka, Telangana, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala
- Flowering & fruiting
- September-June
- Conservation status
- Not Evaluated (NE)
Leaf characters
- Arrangement
- Alternate
Typical of the Liliaceae family — a field-mark hint, not measured for this exact species.
Flower & fruit characters
Typical of the Liliaceae family — flowering plants only; individual species can differ.
Local Names
- Hindi
- शतमूली Shatamuli, शतावरी Shatavari, shatamuli, shatavari
- Nepali
- कुरिलो Kurilo, सतावरी Sataawaree, झिरझिरे काँडा Jhirajhire Kaandaa
- Bengali
- শতমূলী Satamuli, শতমূলী
- Tamil
- தண்ணீர்விட்டான் Tannir-vittan, சாத்தாவாரி
- Telugu
- అబీరువు Abiruvu, చెల్ల Chella, పిల్లపీచర Pilla-pitsara
- Kannada
- ಹಲವು ಮಕ್ಕಳ ತಾಯಿ ಬೇರು Halavu Makkala Taayi Beru, ಶತಾವರಿ Shatavari, ಶತಾವರಿ (ದಕ್ಷಿಣ ಏಷ್ಯಾ ಪ್ರಭೇದ)
- Malayalam
- ശതാവരി Sathavari, ശതാവരി
- Marathi
- शतमूली Shatamuli, शतावरी Shatavari, शतावरी
- Sinhala
- හාතවාරියා, හීන් හාතවාරිය
Shatamuli in India
Shatavari is a thorny, climbing relative of asparagus prized in Ayurveda — शतमूली Shatamuli (Hindi), தண்ணீர்விட்டான் Tannir-vittan (Tamil), అబీరువు Abiruvu (Telugu), ಹಲವು ಮಕ್ಕಳ ತಾಯಿ ಬೇರು Halavu Makkala Taayi Beru (Kannada), ശതാവരി Sathavari (Malayalam), शतमूली Shatamuli (Marathi). Asparagus racemosus is recorded across Rajasthan, Karnataka, Telangana, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala, scrambling through scrub and hedges.
Uses
Its tuberous roots are a classical Ayurvedic rasayana, especially associated with women's health and as a general tonic — an attributed traditional use described for information, not medical advice. It is now cultivated for the herbal trade.
How to Identify Shatamuli
A spiny, woody climber whose 'leaves' are actually fine needle-like cladodes in tufts, giving a feathery look. It bears small, fragrant white flowers in sprays and red berries, and underground produces a cluster of finger-like succulent tuberous roots.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Asparagus called in different Indian languages?
- शतमूली Shatamuli (Hindi); தண்ணீர்விட்டான் Tannir-vittan (Tamil); అబీరువు Abiruvu (Telugu); ಹಲವು ಮಕ್ಕಳ ತಾಯಿ ಬೇರು Halavu Makkala Taayi Beru (Kannada); ശതാവരി Sathavari (Malayalam); शतमूली Shatamuli (Marathi); শতমূলী Satamuli (Bengali).
- What is shatavari used for?
- Shatavari root is a classical Ayurvedic rasayana, traditionally linked with women's health and overall vitality; this is an attributed traditional use, not medical advice.
- Is shatavari related to edible asparagus?
- Yes — it is in the same genus (Asparagus), but it is a thorny climber grown for its medicinal roots rather than for edible spears.
Liliaceae
Lily Family
Shatamuli belongs to the Liliaceae family.
The illustration represents the family — not necessarily this exact species.
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Common plant problems
All plant problem & care guides →More in Liliaceae
View all Liliaceae →Sources: GBIF — Asparagus racemosus (India distribution & vernacular names) (CC BY 4.0) · iNaturalist — Asparagus racemosus (regional names, India observations) (CC BY 4.0) · Wikipedia — Asparagus racemosus (background/comprehension only) (CC BY-SA 4.0)