The plants are perennials. The underground portion consists of stems or rhizomes, and the edible aerial stems grow upward from them. Fields with good care will produce for years. The tender, succulent aerial stems are cut for 2 to 3 months as they emerge in spring. Then cutting stops and they are allowed to grow to nourish the underground part for the following year's crop.
Spears consist essentially of stem tissue only.
Young, succulent sprouts only.