Asparagaceae

Mostly non-woody (herbaceous) perennials that have resting or renewal buds that arise from below ground structures such as rhizomes, corms or bulbs. Flower parts usually in multiples of 3, sepals and petals usually identical, small to showy. Fruits fleshy berries or dry capsules; a diverse group with few defining physical characteristics across the entire family.

Flowers small to showy, solitary or in clusters (racemes, panicles or spikes), at the ends or sides of the stems and its branches, sometimes where the leaves join the stem (axils). Each flower usually producing both pollen and seeds, symmetrical in all directions (radially). Flower parts mostly in multiples of three; but only in multiples of 2 in Wild Lily-of-the-valley. Sepals and petals usually each 3, usually very similar and petal-like, not spotted, mostly separate but sometimes united to at least the middle and collectively shaped like bells, urns or tubes. Stamens usually separate, often attached to the sepals and petals, usually as many as the combined number of sepals and petals (i.e., usually 6). Carpels 2-3, fused; ovary located below the point at which the other flower parts are attached; stigma 1-3, head-like to three-lobed, the lobing sometimes barely noticeable, style 1, sometimes three-angled.

Fruits are fleshy few-seeded berries that are usually red or dark blue when ripe, and sometimes speckled or striped before they are fully ripe, or dry capsules with three chambers. Many species have black seeds due to phytomelanin.

Leaves simple, typically narrow or strap-like but sometimes broad, with parallel veins, may be alternate, often all basal, or arranged in tight rosettes or whorls; with a white stripe on the upper surface in Common Star-of-Bethelehem. In Asparagus, leaves reduced to tiny inconspicuous scales and replaced functionally by branches that are flattened to thread-like and incapable of further growth. Stipules absent. Stem and leaves smooth or with simple hairs.

All species in this family were formerly considered part of the Liliaceae (Lily) Family.

Plants often produce steroidal saponins and sometimes ethereal oils.