Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Asparagales Link
Family
Asparagaceae Juss.
 Subordinate Taxa
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Asparagus L., Sp. Pl. 313 (1753)
Vernacular Name(s):
Asparagus
 Description

Evergreen or summer-green perennials, roots fleshy and cylindric or tuberous. Stems erect or climbing, branched, often woody. Leaves reduced, scale-like, often with basal spine, with solitary or fascicled needle or leaf-like cladodes characteristic for each sp. Flowers small, campanulate, usually axillary or terminal, solitary or in small fascicles, or racemose on special branches lacking cladodes; pedicels articulate; segments 6, ± similar, free or nearly so, spreading above. Berry 1-several seeded. Seeds globose or flat on one side.

[From: Healy and Edgar (1980) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 3.]

 Biostatus
Exotic
Number of species in New Zealand within Asparagus L.
CategoryNumber
Exotic: Fully Naturalised5
Exotic: Casual2
Total7
 Bibliography
Linnaeus, C. 1753: Species Plantarum. Impensis Laurentii Salvii, Stockholm.
Mabberley, D.J. 2008: Mabberley's plant book, a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Edition 3. Cambridge University Press.