158 Asparagus officinalis L.

This polymorphic species originates supposedly from the Orient, from where it was early introduced and cultivated and spread secondarily over large parts of Europe and W. Asia. Some Iower taxa are distinguished, int. al. subsp. prostratus (Dum.) Corb. occurring along the coasts of W. Europe. The species has been introduced into N. and S. America, E. Asia and New Zealand. It is recorded among the circumpolar plants (Hultén, Circumpol. I, p. 220 and map 210). However, there is still a wide gap in NE. Asia and NW. North America.