Family CN: Asparagus Family Family Code: ASPARA Family Authority: A.L. de Jussieu 1789 Summary: A family of a single genus and 170-300 species, widespread in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia (introduced elsewhere). APG III (2009) recommends a much larger Asparagaceae, including other families recognized here (Asparagaceae, Ruscaceae, Agavaceae, Themidaceae, Hyacinthaceae). Stevens (2012) comments about the broader circumscription of Asparagaceae: �this is a highly unsatisfactory family � nothing characterises it, some of the subfamilies are difficult to recognise while others are highly apomorphic�. We choose to follow Seberg et al. (2012) in recognizing smaller monophyletic families that are more homogeneous and easier to characterize. Reference: Dahlgren, Clifford, & Yeo (1985); Kubitzki & Rudall in Kubitzki (1998a). Last Updated: 2016-02-18 Publish: 1