Asparagus - Shoots

The edible asparagus shoots are called "spears" and are harvested while they are still immature. The shoot has distinctive triangular shaped scales. The tip of the shoot has tightly clustered, overlapping scales. The tops are sometimes tinged with purple, as shown here. Most asparagus cultivars are green and some are purple. Sometimes you will see white spears.  These are genetically identical to the green spears but are simply blanched or grown in the dark.