Wild Asparagus

Appearance

"Asparagus acutifolius" reaches on average 30–70 centimetres 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 long. The flowers are dioecious. 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 in diameter, are fully ripe in winter.

Distribution

This species is present throughout the Mediterranean Basin.

Habitat

These plants grow near woods and in uncultivated places, on dry and sunny soil. They can be found at an altitude of 0–1,300 metres above sea level.