Asparagus acutifolius

Asparagus acutifolius
File:Asparagus acutifolius frutos.jpg
Plant and berries of Asparagus acutifolius
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Asparagaceae
Genus:	Asparagus
Species:	A. acutifolius
Binomial name
Asparagus acutifolius L.
Synonyms
Asparagus corruda Scop. Asparagus ambiguus De Not. Asparagus commutatus Ten.

Asparagus acutifolius, common name wild asparagus, is an evergreen perennial plant belonging to the genus Asparagus. The Latin name acutifolius of this species, meaning "thorny leaves", derives from the characteristic shape of the leaves, a quite common feature in the typical plants of the Mediterranean.

Description

Asparagus acutifolius reaches on average 30–70 centimetres (12–28 in) of height. The stems have much-branched feathery foliage. The "leaves" are in fact needle-like modified stems. The flowers are bell-shaped and in small clusters, greenish-white to yellowish, 4.5–5.5 millimetres (0.18–0.22 in) long. The flowers are dioecious (on each plant they are only male or female). In some Mediterranean regions flowering occurs in late Summer from August through September, often after heavy storms. In this case the small green berries, of 5–6 millimetres (0.20–0.24 in) in diameter, are fully ripe in winter.

Gallery

File:Asparagus-acutifolius-flowers.jpg Plant and flowers of Asparagus acutifolius

File:Liliaceae - Asparagus acutifolius-2.JPG Branch of Asparagus acutifolius

File:Liliaceae - Asparagus acutifolius-1.JPG Bud of Asparagus acutifolius

File:Liliaceae - Asparagus acutifolius.JPG Flower of Asparagus acutifolius

Distribution

This species is present throughout the Mediterranean Basin.

Habitat

These plants grow near woods and in uncultivated places, on dry and sunny soil. They can be found at an altitude of 0–1,300 metres (0–4,265 ft) above sea level.

References

• Pignatti S. - Flora d'Italia - Edagricole – 1982 Vol. III. pg. 398

External links

• Biolib