Asparagus cochinchinensis

Primary tabs

Asparagus cochinchinensis

Description

Plant dioecious. Seeds 1-4, globose or angled, c. 2-3 mm ø.

Distribution

Asia-Temperate: Korea present; Taiwan (Taiwan present), Asia-Tropical: Philippines (Philippines present), Benguet Prov present, Japan present, N. Luzon present, Ryu Kyu Is present, S. China present
Korea, Japan, Ryu Kyu Is., S. China, Indo-China, Taiwan; in Malesia: Philippines (N. Luzon: Benguet Prov.), one record (Loher 1928), probably from above 1200 m.

Notes

The recorded flower colours may be misleading. It is possible that the segments are white with a green or yellow-green band.
Gagnep ain recorded that the flowers were unisexual. I have seen insufficient material to determine whether the plants are always dioecious or to confirm that the flowers are always functionally unisexual, but in all flowers I examined one sex appeared to be rudimentary.

Citation

Merr. 1922 – In: En. Philip.: 206
Makino 1954: Ill. Fl. Japan: 735
Gagnep. 1934 – In: Fl. Gen. I.-C.: 780
Merr. 1935: Comm. Lour.: 108
Baker 1875 – In: J. Linn. Soc. Bot.: 605
Merr. & Rolfe 1908 – In: Philip. J. Sc.: Bot. 96