Asparagus

Asparagus comprise a diverse genus of evergreen plants that can grow as lianas, bushes, or climbing plants. They are found in a wide variety of habitats, from rainforest to semi-desert regions. All asparagus species vary in their appearance, which is dependent on their native habitat. Some species are grown as vegetables, and others are grown as ornamentals.

Sand Lily are native to sagebrush grasslands and deserts of western North America. They are known for their distinctive white and yellow flowers. They are interesting to botanists because they're thought to be unlike any other plant and are still rather unstudied.

Peliosanthes is a genus of flowering plants found in eastern Asia.

All yuccas have sharp, sword-shaped leaves that grow from rosette-like centers. As slow-growing plants, they require minimal maintenance and are drought resistant. They need full sun and will grow in areas that may be too bright for tender perennials. As the sole hosts for the aptly-named yucca moths, flowers from yuccas produce a unique fragrance that attracts the moths, which in turn are the only pollinators for their hosts.

Barnardia is a small genus of bulbous flowering plants. Plants of barnardia grow from bulbs. The flowers appear in the autumn and are borne in a dense raceme containing small narrow bracts. Individual flowers are star-shaped, small, and with pink or more rarely white tepals. The elongated seeds are dark brown in colour. The genus has two species, one found in the Balearic Islands and north-west Africa, the other in East Asia.

Hyacinthoides are popular garden plants with bell-shaped flowers that predominantly come in shades of blue or lavender. They grow wild in woodland areas, where they make attractive groundcover. Many genera take on the name 'bluebell,' which can cause some confusion. The plants of this genus differ from others by having two bracts at the base of each of their flowers instead of one or none. The logo for the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland includes a plant from this genus.

Snake plants comprise a genus of evergreen plants with basal leaves with distinctive snake-like shapes, coloring, and markings. The leaves feature a sharp tip, giving these plants the nickname "mother-in-law's tongue." They can survive outdoors in warm climates but also make low-maintenance houseplants. Healthy varieties will produce tiny green flowers in spring.

Pineapple lilies are herbaceous flowering plants with erect flowerheads and modified leaflets on the top, making them superficially similar to pineapples. They are native to southern Africa, but prefer more humid habitats and are absent from drier regions. Due to their decorative looks both during blooming and during seeding, many pineapple lilies are popular in gardening and landscaping.

Bowiea genus contains only one species: Bowiea volubilis, sometimes called the climbing onion. An odd-looking plant, this succulent perennial has a large, onion-like bulb that grows half-buried in the ground. It goes dormant during winter and develops new twining stems. It is often grown as an ornamental plant. In nature, bowiea grow in desert areas of eastern and southern Africa.

Speirantha is a genus of one known species of flowering plants found in south-east China.

Bloomeria , a geophyte in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Brodiaeoideae. Bloomeria consists of three species native to California and Baja California.

Prospero is a genus of bulbous flowering plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae (also treated as the family Hyacinthaceae). It is distributed in Europe, around the Mediterranean, and through the Middle East to the Caucasus. The leaves are relatively narrow. Each bulb produces one to four flowering stems (scapes) bearing dense racemes of pink to violet flowers. The dark brown seeds are more-or-less oblong.

It is widely distributed occurring in southern Europe most of Africa and the Middle East through to the Indian subcontinent. Species of dipcadi grow from small bulbs. The solitary flower stem (scape) bears a loose raceme of green or brown flowers sometimes with different colours at the tips of the three inner tepals. The black seeds are in the shape of a disc or a flattened globe. As of spring 2013 the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families recognized 41 species and one hybrid.

Hostas are native to East Asia and are cultivated around the world because of their attractive foliage and white, blue, or lilac flowers. The nickname "hostas" comes from the plants' resemblance to plantain weeds, which have similarly broad leaves.

Aspidistra are forest understory plants that grow in the shade of trees and shrubs in East and Southeast Asia. Interestingly, their leaves and flowers protrude directly from the ground. Some representatives can be grown in the gardens as shade-tolerant plants, or kept indoors as houseplants appreciated for its foliage.

Cluster-liliess are a genus of flowering plants, many of which are grown ornamentally for their bright and abundant lily-like flowers. These flowers are highly aromatic and are often used in cut flower arrangements. They have a comparatively low stature and are deer-resistant.

Fringe-lily is a genus of perennial herbs in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Lomandroideae. They are mostly native to Australia with 45 of the 50 known species occurring in Western Australia alone, although a few species range northward into New Guinea and Southeast Asia as far north as southern China.

Tupistra is a genus of flowering plants found in south Asia, from southern China to Sumatra and Ambon Island. As of August 2013, the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP) recognized 21 species.

Veld lily is a genus of perennial plants native to the Cape Provinces of South Africa. It has 2 species.

Cordylines are evergreen, ornamental plants named for their large underground stems. Their long attractive leaves grow in a rosette shape. Flowers bloom from a long stem that extends from the center of the leaves. Propagation is easy with reproduction by seed or by replanting the sucker plants that form at the base. These species make great options for gardens, greenhouses, or houseplants.

Semele is a genus of flowering plants native to the Canary Islands and Madeira. Three species are recognized.

Disporopsis is native to China, Indochina and the Philippines.

Hedgehog lily is a genus of bulbous perennials in the family Asparagaceae subfamily Scilloideae. It is native to southern Africa. Hedgehog lily grows from underground bulbs whose outer tunic is pale brown and papery or leathery. Two relatively broad leaves appear at the same time as the flowers spreading out on either side sometimes lying flat on the ground. Individual flowers are pale in colour white or with green yellow or pink tones. They are bell-shaped or somewhat tubular with the tepals joined at the base forming a short or long tube. The seeds are dull black. As of spring 2018 the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families recognized 25 species.

Mexican star is a genus of monocotyledonous plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Brodiaeoideae. Mexican star contains ten accepted species. They are native mostly to Mexico, with one species extending into Guatemala, Honduras, Arizona, Texas and New Mexico.

Agaves are ornamental plants that require very little water and survive well in hot, dry climates. The leaves of the plants form small rosettes that produce long stalks of flowers. They are slow-growing plants that can take years to bloom but die as soon as blooming occurs. However, most agaves produce sucker plants that grow along the base of the host plant and these new plants will continue to grow and survive.

The term, Polygonatum, the scientific name for solomon's seal, comes from the ancient Greek term for “many knees,” referring to the joints in the roots. It is not entirely clear where the nickname “solomon's seal” originated from—one hypothesis is that the roots have depressions in them that resemble royal seals, and royalty relates to the Biblical king Solomon; another is that the chopped roots resemble Hebrew characters, and Solomon is an important figure in Hebrew religion.

Grape hyacinths grow from a bulb and reproduce rapidly. These plants produce spikes of dense, grape-shaped flowers that provide vivid color for most of the spring blooming season. Their musk-like fragrance, colorful blossoms, and little maintenance requirements make them popular plants for gardeners and plant enthusiasts.

Ruscus are a genus of perennial evergreen shrubs native to Europe, Africa, Asia, and Caucasus. It is known to tend towards aggressive spreading and can easily colonize large areas of land. Varieties in this species are known to make great hedges and even grow well in dense shade.

The genus includes one widely accepted species.

Furcraea have a typical agave look, with long, pointed, bluish-green leaves arranged in a rosette, and a central inflorescence on a tall stalk. When they finish flowering, furcraea die as part of their normal lifecycle. Adapted to arid growing conditions and able to store large amounts of water, these succulents are common in xeriscaping and rock gardens. They are also used for making a natural tiber locally called fique or cabuyo.

False yuccas comprise a small genus of desert perennials with narrow leaves, a basal rosette, and long racemes of bell-shaped flowers. Often called 'false yucca,' this genus contains species that look like yuccas but aren't. The Latin name translates to "western aloe" as these plants are native to the Western Hemisphere and also resemble plants in the Aloe genus. False yuccas are most commonly planted as ornamentals in xerophyte gardens.

Camasare perennial plants with basal linear leaves. They grow to a height of 30 to 127 cm with a multi-flowered stem rising above the main plant in summer. The six-petaled flowers vary in color from pale lilac or white to deep purple or blue-violet. The World Checklist of Selected Plant Families recognizes six species as of spring 2015. Camas is native to western North America.

Spider plants comprise a large genus of evergreen tropical and subtropical flowering plants. They have long and slender leaves, fleshy tuberous roots, and often produce small white flowers. They reproduce vegetatively through plantlets, which immediately take root upon touching the ground. Some spider plants make popular houseplants and are commonly found in hanging pots.

Beaucarnea are easy to identify with their prominent swollen base. This is the result of a water storage system that allows these plants to endure long droughts. These are considered ornamental garden trees for warm climates and can be grown indoors. Plants grown indoors with insufficient sunlight may have smaller bases than those grown outdoors.

Hyacinths are popular spring-blooming plants with fragrant flowers that grow from bulbs. These plants were incredibly popular in the 18th century, with thousands of cultivars grown in the Netherlands alone. These flowers have long been a symbol of rebirth, prudence, constancy, and peace of mind. The bulb is poisonous and should be handled carefully as it can cause skin irritation.

Star-of-bethlehem comprise a genus of perennial plants that produce star-shaped flowers. These plants grow from a bulb with slender stalks and low-growing leaves. Some species are edible as vegetables, while others are toxic. Though mostly cultivated for garden use, florists and homeowners use some varieties for cut-flower arrangements.

Lilyturfs are grassy flowering plants that are often used along borders. They stay green year-round and make excellent groundcover due to their ability to spread quickly. In late summer, these plants produce small, violet-colored flowers. Most species are deer-resistant and tolerate drought and salt. Though they are not true grasses, they are sometimes used as lawn alternatives.

Merwilla is a genus of bulbous flowering plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae. It is distributed in southern Africa. Species of merwilla grow from relatively large bulbs, the upper part of which is usually above ground. The bulbs have light yellow to gray tunics. Plants have broad leaves. The flowers are borne in a raceme. Each flower has six blue tepals, forming a star shape. The oblong seeds are brownish when dry, paler when fresh.

Slime lilies are perennial herbs that grow from a bulb, although they can be cultivated as annuals. These plants produce similar-looking flowers. However, their foliage is diverse and, in some species, eye-catching. Slime lilies have a mat-forming habit with some species emitting a licorice scent if bruised.

Drimia species are usually deciduous, more rarely evergreen, growing from bulbs. The bulbs may be underground or occur on or near the surface. Each bulb has one to several leaves that are often dry by the time the flowers open. The inflorescence is in the form of a raceme, with one to many flowers. At least the lower inflorescence bracts have spurs (a characteristic of the tribe Urgineeae). The individual flowers generally last for only one to two days and have white to yellowish green or brown tepals that are either free or joined into a basal tube. The tepals often have a darker central keel. After fertilization, an ovoid capsule forms with several seeds in each locule. The seeds are black and winged.The broadly defined genus has about 100 species found in Africa, including Madagascar, the Mediterranean area and Asia.

Craglily are a genus of herbaceous perennials with corms and large roots that double as nutrient and water storage. These drought-tolerant plants have been used as ornamentals for their attractive flowers. The genus name Echeandia honors the Spanish Botanist Pedro Gregorio Echeandia. Species of the genus may be easily confused with Yuccas or Stargrasses.

Hesperocallis is a genus of flowering plants that includes a single species. It is found in the desert areas of southwestern North America, in Northwestern Mexico, California, and Arizona.

Anthericum is a genus of rhizomatous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Agavoideae. The species have rhizomatous or tuberous roots, long narrow leaves and branched stems carrying starry white flowers. This genus includes about 65 species. The members of this genus occur mainly in the tropics and southern Africa and Madagascar, but are also represented in Europe.

Aphyllanthes includes only one species endemic to the western Mediterranean region. Their large and bright flowers are an attractive trait.

Soap plantss are perennial plants, with more or less elongated bulbs, depending on the species. The bulbs can be white or brown, and in most species have a fibrous coat. The flowers are borne on a long central stem, and appear to have six separate petals (not all are petals in the technical sense). Five species are currently classified in the genus. They are native to western North America and are mostly found in California.

The genus muilla includes three to four species of flowering plants. Muilla species are native to southwestern North America.

Lilyturfs are evergreen plants that closely resemble grass. They are easy to grow and reproduce and spread through rhizomes. Colorful racemes of flowers bloom in the summer, and small blue and black berries grow in the fall. They grow well in shaded areas and make excellent options as border grass, groundcover, or rock gardens.

Puschkinia is a genus of three known species of bulbous perennials in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae. It is native to the Caucasus and the Middle East. The leaves are green, strap-like, and grow in pairs. The flowers are borne in early spring in racemes. Seeds are borne in three-parted capsules.

Rohdea is a genus of native to eastern Asia. It was long thought to contain only a single species.

Triteleia is a genus of monocotyledon flowering plants. Species are native to western North America, from British Columbia south to California, with one species in northwestern Mexico. They are perennial plants growing from a fibrous corm, roughly spherical in shape. They get their name from the fact that all parts of their flowers come in threes. About 16 species are currently recognised in triteleia.

Beargrasses are a genus of North American plants that can successfully grow in arid environments. Many are grown ornamentally since they produce arresting clusters of spiked evergreen succulent leaves that offer year-round interest. They need little or no additional watering and thrive in full sun locations.

Anemarrhena has only one species and native to China, Korea, and Mongolia.