Asparagus Family
What are they?
With recent taxonomic changes, the asparagus family (Asparagaceae) now includes many of our well-known bulb species that were once considered part of a much larger lily family (Liliaceae), as well as some woody perennials. This page covers the woody perennials, as well as Asparagus itself and covers plants with a diversity of forms. Other members of the family include the squills, bluebells & hyacinths, the star-of-Bethlehems and the solomon's-seals, among others.
Where are they found?
This is a diverse group, whose members could be found in a range of habitats. However, the majority occur primarily as garden escapes so will most likely be found in human-influenced habitats such as waste ground and roadsides. Butcher's-broom is a UK native, but in our region is largely a plant of shady churchyards.
Identification
Although united by having flowers with six 'petals' and six stamens, members of this group are hard to define and are something of a wild bunch of oddballs! However, species such as Asparagus and Butcher's-broom are unlikely to be confused with anything else, while the yuccas are distinctive as a group, but require attention to flowers and leaf detail to identify to species.
Common Butcher's-broom Ruscus aculeatus
Rare as a native species and perhaps only native in the south-east of our area, but widespread where originally planted in shady churchyards and similar places. Flowers January to April. A distinctive, spiny, evergreen shrub that forms dense thickets of stiff, upright stems. A closer look reveals that the spine-tipped 'leaves' are actually flattened stems, which bear the flowers and berries at their centre.
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Common Asparagus Asparagus officinalis
Introduced as a culinary plant but now widespread in grassy places. Flowers June to September. The stout, spring shoots are well known as a popular vegetable; if left to develop, they grow into tall, whispy stems with needle-like leaves. Tiny, pinkish or yellowish-brown flowers are followed by red berries.
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Cabbage-palm Cordyline australis
Introduced from New Zealand and popular as a garden ornamental, especially in milder, coastal areas. In recent years, self-sown seedlings have appeared in unattended borders and road margins. Flowers June to July. Differs from yuccas in its very long, soft, grass-like foliage and the clusters of tiny, star-like flowers.
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Spanish-dagger Yucca gloriosa
Native to North America and introduced as a garden plant. A large plant of this species has been long established on Blakeney Point, although a number of publications misidentify the plant as Yucca recurvifolia. Flowers June to July. Forms large clumps of stiff, stout, fleshy leaves with rigid, vicious spines at the tips. Flowers in large, branched heads, each flower rounded in profile.
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Adam's-needle Yucca filamentosa
Native to North America and introduced as a garden plant. Several small plants of this species have been established on Blakeney Point for many years, but appear never to have been recorded in regional publications. Flowers June to July. Leaves fleshy and spine-tipped but softer than those of Spanish-dagger and with white threads that peel off the leaf edges. Individual flowers elongate in profile.
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