garden asparagus
Family
LiliaceaeScientific Name
Asparagus officinalis
Habit
Perennial plants that sprout from enlarged root system and quickly grow to 2 meters. Stems have thin branches, needle-like leaves, and form an open canopy that tends to droop.
Leaves
Leaves of upper branches from 2.5 cm long, appearing like pine needles. Leaves and stems are usually hairless.
Identifying Characteristics
The upper leaves are not really leaves, but reduced branches. Plants produce green and red berries in a thin canopy.
Flower Seed Head
Tepals are whitish-green and 6.5 mm long with subscarious margins.
Seed Fruit
Berries are 1 cm in diameter, red, with 3-6 seeds.
Where Found
Pastures, fencerows, old cultivated fields, disturbed sites, open woods, roadsides, railroads.
Life Cycle
perennial
Plant Type
Herb