Asparagus asparagoides

(Linnaeus) W. Wight

in W. D. Whitney and B. E. Smith, Cent. Dict. Cyclop. ed. 2 12: 845 sub Myrsiphyllum.1909.

Common names: Smilax asparagus
IntroducedIllustrated
Basionym: Medeola asparagoides Linnaeus Sp. Pl. 1: 339. 1753
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 26. Treatment on page 214. Mentioned on page 212, 213.

Vines, erect to deflexed, branching, climbing to 1.5 m; roots tuberous. Stems slender, to 3 m, wiry, smooth to slightly ridged; cladophylls solitary at each node, broadly lanceolate to ovate, 15–35 × 5–15(–20) mm, leathery, with 20–24 parallel veins. Leaves membranous, 1–2 mm; blade broadly lanceolate. Inflorescences in axillary umbels, 1–3(–4)-flowered. Flowers bisexual; perianth campanulate; tepals white, with green median stripe abaxially, 5–7 × 1–1.5 mm; pedicel 5–8 mm, with hard, raised joint 1–3 mm above base. Berries red, 6–8 mm. Seeds 1–4(–6). 2n = 20.


Phenology: Flowering spring–summer.
Habitat: Waste places, open forests, roadsides
Elevation: 0–100 m

Distribution

V26 369-distribution-map.jpg

Introduced; Calif., s Africa.

Discussion

Asparagus asparagoides is cultivated as an ornamental and has naturalized locally in southern Europe.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Asparagus asparagoides"
Gerald B. Straley† +  and Frederick H. Utech +
(Linnaeus) W. Wight +
Medeola asparagoides +
Smilax asparagus +
Calif. +  and s Africa. +
0–100 m +
Waste places, open forests, roadsides +
Flowering spring–summer. +
in W. D. Whitney and B. E. Smith, Cent. Dict. Cyclop. ed. 2 +
Introduced +  and Illustrated +
Asparagus asparagoides +
Asparagus +
species +