About Ruscus hypoglossum L.
This plant, Ruscus hypoglossum L., is a shrub that grows to a mature height of approximately 46 centimeters (18 inches). It has a creeping rootstock, and leaf-like flattened stems called phylloclades that measure around 8 centimeters (3 inches) long by up to 4 centimeters (1+1⁄2 inches) wide, tapering at both ends. Its true leaves are small green appendages positioned around the flowers. Small yellow flowers bloom in the axil of a leaf-like bract 2.5 to 3.8 centimeters (1 to 1.5 inches) long that grows on the upper surface of the phylloclade. Ruscus hypoglossum L. is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers grow on separate individual plants. Its fruit is a red, round berry that is 0.6 to 1.3 centimeters (0.25 to 0.5 inches) wide, which is rarely produced.
