Asparagus officinalis L.

Summer-green dioecious perennial, with woody crown; roots long, cylindrical, fleshy. Stems 60–120 cm high, bright green, stiffly erect, ± woody below, branched above; shoots fleshy, edible. Scale-leaves scarious, 1–5 mm long, with short soft basal spur. Cladodes needle-like, 5–15 mm long, 2–8 at each node. Flowers axillary, 1–2–(4), greenish-yellow; pedicels drooping, 5–10 mm long; male flowers 5–6 mm long, stamens ± 3 mm long, ovary rudimentary; female flowers shorter, ± 4 mm long, stamens ± 1.5 mm long, functionless. Berry globose, ± 6–8 mm diam., red. Seeds 1–9, ± 3 mm diam., black.

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

Flowering: Nov.–Dec.