Asparagaceae

(uh-spair-uh-GAY-see-ee)
– a family in the Liliales order –

Here in the St. Louis Area, we have 7 not-too-obscure plants that are in the “Asparagus” family. They are organized into 4 subfamilies:

Agavoideae subfamily:

  • Camassia scilloides  (Wild Hyacinth) [CC6]
  • Manfreda virginica  (Virginia Agave) [CC7]

Asparagoideae subfamily:

  • Asparagus officinalis  (Garden Asparagus) [intro]

Nolinoideae subfamily:

  • Maianthemum racemosum  (Solomon’s Plume) [CC4]
  • Polygonatum biflorum  (Solomon’s Seal) [CC4]

Scilloideae subfamily:

  • Muscari botryoides  (Grape Hyacinth) [intro]
  • Ornithogalum umbellatum  (Star of Bethlehem) [intro]

[CC] = Coefficient of Conservatism