Asparagus aphyllus L.
Diagnostic description:
A woody, spiny, branched, shrubby plant. Stems and cladodes dark green; stems smooth, up to 1m long. Cladodes stout and very sharply tipped, unequal in length, from 5 to 20 mm long, in clusters of 3 to 7. Flowers 5 to 8 mm across with 6 perianth segments, greenish, solitary or clustered. Fruit are berries 5 to 8 mm diameter, at first green then black.
Distribution:
Local: Not common but widespread on the Upper Rock, though mainly southern parts from Martin’s path to Windmill Hill Flats.
Global: Found in western to central Mediterranean region.
Ecology:
Flowers from August, September to October (November).
Habitat:
Grows in maquis and garigue; dry, rocky places; waysides.