| Geitonoplesium | |
|---|---|
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| Flowers | |
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| Fruit, at Paruna Reserve,Como, Sydney, NSW. | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asphodelaceae |
| Subfamily: | Hemerocallidoideae |
| Genus: | Geitonoplesium A.Cunn. exR.Br.[3][2] |
| Species: | G. cymosum |
| Binomial name | |
| Geitonoplesium cymosum (R.Br.) A.Cunn. ex R.Br.[2] | |
| Synonyms[4] | |
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Geitonoplesium is amonotypicgenus in thefamilyAsphodelaceae, containing the solespeciesGeitonoplesium cymosum, commonly known asscrambling lily.[5][6] The species is aperennialevergreen scramblingvine found inrainforests,sclerophyll forests andwoodlands of easternAustralia,[5] and parts ofMalesia andMelanesia.[2][6][7]
The leaves are variable, usually narrow-lanceolate to linear, 2–10 cm (0.8–3.9 in) long and 3–25 mm (0.1–1.0 in) wide. Both surfaces of the leaves are glossy, with the midvein prominent and raised on the upper surface. The flowers are mauve to white. Theglobular berries are 5–11 mm (0.2–0.4 in) in diameter and contain one or two more or less globular black seeds.[5][6] There is a high degree of variation in the shape of the leaves, which has resulted in the establishment of numerous infraspecific taxa over the years. However, none of these are recognised by leading present-day authorities.[8]
The species,Geitonoplesium cymosum, was first described in 1810 byRobert Brown asLuzuriaga cymosa,[9][10] but in 1832Allan Cunningham transferred it to the genus,Geitonoplesium.[9][11]
The shoots are edible when boiled, and comparable toasparagus.[12][13]
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