Family: asparagus ferns (Asparagaceae)
Flowering time: May–June
Size: 30–50 cm
Habitat: sunny forests, forest edges and among shrubs
Asparagus ferns have strongly modified shoots that resemble leaves; they are called phylloclades. True leaves are reduced, scaly in this family. The slender stem of the hairy asparagus (Asparagus tenuifolius) is heavily branched. Up to 3 cm long hairy phylloclades are arranged in whorls. In each whorl there are 10 to 25 soft phylloclades. Under them, with a magnifying glass, we can observe the true leaf. Six-petaled flowers are long-pedunculated, hook-shaped. The greenish petals are 5–8 mm long. Ripe fruits are glossy red spherical berries, about 15 mm in diameter. Hairy asparagus grows on barren and decidedly dry soils in warm locations.
It is widespread throughout Slovenia, but common only in its southwestern part.
