Spargelgewächse

Spargelgewächse is the German term for the Asparagaceae family, a diverse group of flowering plants that includes familiar species like asparagus and hostas. This family belongs to the order Asparagales and is characterized by its herbaceous or woody perennial nature. Many species within Asparagaceae are geophytes, meaning they grow from underground storage organs such as bulbs, rhizomes, or corms, allowing them to survive unfavorable conditions.

The leaves of Spargelgewächse can vary significantly in form, from the typical flattened green leaves of asparagus to the more familiar broad, often variegated leaves of hostas. Many members of this family produce inconspicuous flowers, often white or greenish, arranged in racemes or panicles. However, some, like certain ornamental onions (Allium), can have showy, globe-shaped inflorescences. The fruits are typically berries or capsules.

Economically, the most significant member is *Asparagus officinalis*, cultivated for its edible young shoots. The family also includes numerous ornamental plants valued for their foliage and floral displays, such as hostas, agaves, and yuccas, although the taxonomic classification of some of these groups has undergone revision. These plants are found in a wide range of habitats across the globe, from temperate regions to arid and tropical environments.