LILIACE^ 



245 



or fascicles of cladophylls. Each flower is mounted on a 

 very slender jointed pedicel. The perianth consists of six 

 similar segments which are separate or slightly united at 

 the base. They are persistent in the fruit. Stamens are 



Fig. 98. — Garden asparagus (Asparagus officinalis). A, pistillate flower; 

 B, staminate flower; C, mature fruit; D, section of fruit; E and F, portions of 

 the plant showing method of b anching, position of flowers and leaves. 



six in number and inserted at the bases of the perianth 

 segments; the filaments are distinct and filiform, and the 

 anthers are ovate or oblong, with introrse dehiscence. The 

 superior ovary is sessile, three-lobed, with a short, slender 

 style and three short, recurved stigmas. The fruit (Fig. 98) 



