Asparagaceae A.L. de Jussieu. Asparagus Family.
A family of a single genus and 170-300 species, widespread in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia (introduced elsewhere). APG IV (2016) recommends a much larger Asparagaceae, including other families recognized here (Asparagaceae, Ruscaceae, Agavaceae, Themidaceae, Hyacinthaceae). Stevens (2012) comments about the broader circumscription of Asparagaceae: “this is a highly unsatisfactory family – nothing characterises it, some of the subfamilies are difficult to recognise while others are highly apomorphic”. We choose to follow Seberg et al. (2012), Nordal & Sletten Bjorå (2016), Eggli & Nyffeler (2020), and others in recognizing smaller monophyletic families that are more homogeneous and easier to characterize.
Ref: APG IV (2016); Dahlgren, Clifford, & Yeo (1985); Eggli & Nyffeler (2020); Kubitzki & Rudall In Kubitzki (1998a); Nordal & Sletten Bjorå (2016); Seberg et al. (2012). Show full citations.
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© Keith Bradley | Original Image ⭷
© Brandon Corder 
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Asparagus, Foster Brady Farm, Walton County, Georgia 1 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷