Łódź, Palmiarnia greenhouse

The origin is believed to be the eastern Mediterranean and further east, in the Caucasus Mountains. Ornamental plant. Pot plant. Edible plant - young shoots raw, cooked or pickled; roasted seeds are a coffee substitute. Herbal plant - the plant is antispasmodic, aperient, cardiac, demulcent, diaphoretic, diuretic, sedative and tonic, the freshly expressed juice is used; roots are diaphoretic, strongly diuretic and laxative; an infusion is used in the treatment of jaundice and congestive torpor of the liver; the strongly diuretic action of the roots make it useful in the treatment of a variety of urinary problems including cystitis; it is also used in the treatment of cancer; the roots are said to be able to lower blood pressure; the plant contains asparagusic acid, which has nematocidal properties.