Big-leaf Butcher's Broom. One of the more fascinating of the six Ruscus species, this one has probably the largest leaves of the genus. The 'leaves' are actually cladodes or phylloclades, "leaf-like branches." You could have fooled me. But unfortunately, every plant that I have found in this country has been a female (I think), and since this species is not parthenocarpic (setting fruit without fertilization) like 'Wheeler's Form,' we need a male for pollination. I have been searching the country over for a male. My theory is that every gardener lady who sneaked a plant of this back from southern Europe in her purse, or God forbid her dirty underwear in her luggage, only brought the one back with the berries on it. Who would ever want the one with no berries! Now the more I see what everyone is claiming they have, I am wondering if our selection is really a female. So take this with a grain of salt, or maybe a 5 pound box. This species makes a small subshrub up to 18", in its native habitat. It grows as a woodland, understory plant on the forest floor under deciduous trees and shrubs in southeastern Europe. Bear in mind that one will not see the fruit as pictured below unless a male pollinator is found. I keep on looking! Zones 6-9
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