ASPARAGUS STIPULARIS

Family:- ASPARAGACEAE

Common Name:- None

Synonyms:- Asparagus horridus

Meaning:- Asparagus. The Greek name for plants sprouting edible shoots from the

rootstock.

Stipularis (L) With conspicuous stipules.

General description:- Hairless rhizomatous perennials with tough stems, some

times becoming woody, often with a rather ferny appearance.

Stem:-

a) up to 60 cm. woody.

b) and branches with numerous smooth to papillose ridges.

Leaves:-

Replaced by a green leaf-like flattened stem resembling spikes but functioning as a

leaf, (cladodes).

1) Cladodes:

a) (10-)15-30(-60) mm.

b) solitary or in fascicles of 2-3, spreading (patent), hairless, robust and rigid,

strongly spiny 3- or 4-angled.

Flowers:-

1) Pedicels:

a) 1-3(-5) mm.

b) with 0-2 bracteoles at the base.

2) Nodes:

a) with 2-6(-8) flowers mixed with the cladodes.

3) Perianth-segments:

a) 3·5-4 mm.

Fruit:-

1) Berry:

a) 5·5-8 mm.

b) with 1-4 seeds.

Key features:-

1) Strongly spiny, in fascicles of 2-3.

2) Stems woody.

3) Base of the pedicels with 0-2 small bracteoles.

Habitat:- Stony and sandy ground by the sea or on rocky slopes some distance

inland. 0-200 m (rarely higher).

Distribution:- In Greece confined to the Aegean area. - Widespread in hot, dry

habitats in the S Mediterranean area. Fairly rare on Crete, known from only a few

scattered locations.

Flowering time:- Mar-June.

Photos by:- Courtesy of Wiki-Commons