TaxonomyAsparagaceae is a subfamily of
Asparagaceae in the
Apg3 classification. This is soemtimes expressed as
Asparagaceae sensu strictu, in a restricted sense, is a subfamily of
Asparagaceae sensu lato, in a broad sense.
Asparagaceae,
Ruscaceae and
Laxmanniaceae form a monophyletic clade in the
Apg3 classification.
Ruscaceae has also been called Nolinaceae,
Nolinoideae. The genera were once included in diverse families like Dracaenaceae, Convallariaceae and Eriospermaceae.
In the
Plant theory Asparagaceae,
Ruscaceae and
Laxmanniaceae are taken together as
Asparagaceae and placed in
Subphase 4.
FamiliesAsparagaceae: Asparagus, Myrsiphyllum, Protasparagus.
Laxmanniaceae: Laxmannia.
Ruscaceae: Aspidistra, Beaucarnea, Calibanus, Campylandra, Comosperma, Convallaria, Danaë, Dasylirion, Disporopsis, Dracaena, Eriospermum, Gonioscypha, Heteropolygonatum, Liriope, Maianthemum, Nolina, Ophiopogon, Peliosanthes, Pleomele, Polygonatum, Reineckea, Rohdea, Ruscus, Sansevieria, Semele, Speirantha, Theropogon, Tricalistra, Tupistra.
BotanyHigher asparagoids; successive microsporogenesis; mostly alkaloids; racemes, except
Brodiaeoideae with umbels; three or more bracts subtending, but not enclosing, the inflorescence, or no bracts.