Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Asparagus

Not too thrilling a photo, but I did want to add this wild plant to my Plants of Alberta Set. This particular plant was growing wild at Shagnessy Heights, Calgary, but is also found in other parks and natural areas in the city. Keep your eyes open for the small, orange Asparagus Beetle that is sometimes seen on the plant. "Asparagus officinalis is a flowering plant species in the genus Asparagus from which the vegetable known as asparagus is obtained. It is native to most of Europe, northern Africa and western Asia. It is now also widely cultivated as a vegetable crop.... It is a herbaceous perennial plant growing to 100–150 centimetres (39–59 in) tall, with stout larissa stems with much-branched feathery foliage.... The shoots are prepared and served in a number of ways around the world" From Wikipedia.

Sometimes, there is an uninspiring, poor quality photo that you want or need to add to a Set and the only way to get it in there is to upload it. This is one such image, lol. The flowers of the Asparagus plant are very tiny, and I'm not sure if they open any further than this or not. This macro shot was taken on 27 July 2011, at the Erlton/Roxborough Natural Area. No "need" (not that there ever is!) to comment. "The flowers are bell-shaped, greenish-white to yellowish, 4.5–6.5 mm (0.18–0.26 in) long, with six tepals partially fused together at the base; they are produced singly or in clusters of two or three in the junctions of the branchlets. It is usually dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants, but sometimes hermaphrodite flowers are found. The fruit is a small red berry 6–10 mm diameter, which is poisonous to humans." From Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asparagus

An old photo from my archives, taken on 12th August 2009, near the Irrigation Canal near 17th Avenue. I believe the berries turn red.

When I saw my very first tiny Asparagus Beetle, I thought it was a Ladybug. Isn't it cute? They are such attractive, bright orange, little things with their many black spots. Next time you see an Asparagus plant, take a careful look : )

This beautiful Asparagus plant, in Beaverdam Flats Park, is showing its golden fall colour.