| Asparagus acutifolius | |
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| Plant and beries of Asparagus acutifolius | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| Order: | Liliales |
| Family: | Liliaceae |
| Genus: | Asparagus |
| Species: | A. acutifolius |
| Binomial name | |
| Asparagus acutifolius L. |
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| Synonyms | |
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Asparagus acutifolius, common name Wild Asparagus, is an evergreen perennial plant belonging to the genus Asparagus of the Liliaceae family. The Latin name acutifolius of this species, meaning "thorny leaves", derives from the characteristics shape of the leaves, a quite common feature in the typical plants of the Mediterranean.
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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) of diameter, are fully ripe in Winter.
This species is present throughout the Mediterranean Basin.
These plants grow near woods and in uncultivated placeson, on dry and sunny soil. They can be found at an altitude of 0–1,300 metres (0–4,300 ft) above sea level.