pronounced: as-par-uh-GAY-see-eye
Some members of this family were formerly included in Liliaceae.
Ασφαραγος (aspharagos) was the ancient Greek name for the plant Asparagus officinalis, the asparagus we eat.
The family consists of shrubs, lianas, herbs and herbaceous climbers, some being switch-plants with the principal photosynthesizing functions transferred to stems (as represented by axillary clusters of cladodes). Underground perennating organs may be present: rhizomes, bulbs, corms, tuberous roots or a woody caudex. Inflorescences are often racemose, but spikes, panicles and cymose inflorescences are also encountered. Fruits are often capsular, but berries are also common, and other fruit types occur. The seeds are often black due to the presence of phytomelan.
