10 HO IV TO KNOW WILD FBUITS 



ASPARAGUS 



Asparagus officinalis Lily-of-the- Valley Family 



Fi'idt. — The red berries are globose, and about 

 as large as a small huckleberry. They are soli- 

 tary or in pairs, and grow on a slender, jointed 

 stem from the axil of a scale, which is really a 

 modified leaf. The berry is three-celled, with 

 two seeds in each cell. The calyx lobes are at 

 the base of the berry. August, September. 



Leaves. — The true leaves appear as scales 

 along the stem and branches. From the axils, 

 along the branches, grow three tiny threadlike 

 branchlets which are often mistaken for leaves. 



Flowers. — The flowers are small, bell-shaped, 

 and greenish yellow. They grow on drooping, 

 jointed pedicels. June. 



Tlie Asparagus was introduced from Europe, 

 and has become quite a frequent roadside escape. 

 It is very attractive in fruit, making one think 

 of a miniature Christmas tree, with its gay 

 decorations of red balls. The thick shoots of 

 spring are edible, and bear the true leaves as 

 large scales, which persist on the base of the 

 plant until fall. 



