Wild Asparagus, espárrago triguero

Description:

Evergreen perennial plant belonging to the genus Asparagus of the Liliaceae family. The Latin name acutifolius of this species, meaning "thorny leaves", derives from the characteristics shape of the leaves, a quite common feature in the typical plants of the Mediterranean. 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 (on each plant they are only male or female). 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 of diameter, are fully ripe in Winter.

Habitat:

open mediterranean forest. Dehesa de Valdelatas, Madrid

Notes:

Camera Model: NIKON D300. Exposure Time: 1/250 sec. f/4.2 ISO Speed Rating: 200. Focal Length: 90.0 mm. Flash fired