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Asphodelus albus

Asphodelus albus: Flowers
Photo by Ken Fern. High resolution version

Asphodelus albus: Flowers
Photo by Ken Fern. High resolution version

Common name:	Asphodel	Family:	Asphodelaceae
Author:	Mill.	Botanical references:	50, 200
Synonyms:	Asphodelus macrocarpus
Known Hazards:	The root is poisonous[7].
Range:	S. Europe.
Habitat:	Ploughed fields, rough ground[7], dry hills and mountain meadows[45, 50].
Edibility Rating (1-5):	2	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	1

Other Possible Synonyms:	From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below.
	A. sphaerocarpus[G,P]
Other Common Names:	From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below.
	Asphodel [E], Rimmed Lichen [P],
Epithets:	From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets
	albus = white
Other Range Info:	From the Ethnobotany Database
	Europe

Physical Characteristics

Perennial growing to 1m by 0.45m . It is hardy to zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to June. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects. We rate it 2/5 for edibility and 1/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Woodland, Cultivated Beds, Sunny Edge.

Edible Uses

Root.

The root was at one time eaten as a food but, since it contains the alkaloid asphodeline, this is not really very advisable[7].

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

Antidermatosic Detergent Emollient Vulnerary.

The tubers are antidermatosic, detergent, emollient and vulnerary[7]. They are mainly used externally in the treatment of skin conditions and for lightening freckles[7]. They have also been employed internally as a cough remedy[7]. The tubers are harvested in the spring and dried for later use[7]. Use internally with caution, especially if you are suffering from nephritis or gastritis[7].

Other Uses

Alcohol.

An alcohol can be obtained from the fermented roots[7].

Cultivation details

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil, tolerating partial shade[200]. Requires a well-drained soil and a sheltered position[42]. Prefers a deep rich sandy loamy soil[1, 111]. Prefers a soil that is not too rich and a sunny position[200]. Grows well on hot dry banks and in thin grass[42, 200]. Established plants are drought tolerant[190].
Plants are hardy to about -15° c[187].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233].

Propagation

Seed - sow March/April in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place in 1 - 3 months at 15° c[134]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. When the plants are large enough to handle, plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer.
Division in early spring or autumn[111].

Suppliers

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

Web References

[E] Ethnobotany Data (common names, uses, countries) from the Ethnobotany Database.
[G] Data (Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
[P] Data. (uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.
[HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[7] Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.

[42] Grey. C. H. Hardy Bulbs. Williams & Norgate. 1938
Rather dated now, but an immense work on bulbs for temperate zones and how to grow them. Three large volumes.

[45] Polunin. O. Flowers of Greece and the Balkans. Oxford University Press 1980 ISBN 0-19-217626-9
A good pocket flora, it also lists quite a few plant uses.

[50] ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964
An immense work in 6 volumes (including the index). The standard reference flora for europe, it is very terse though and with very little extra information. Not for the casual reader.

[111] Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926
A fairly wide range of perennial plants that can be grown in Britain and how to grow them.

[134] Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988
Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. An interesting article on Ensete ventricosum.

[187] Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.

[190] Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982 ISBN 0460045512
A good list of drought resistant plants with details on how to grow them.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[233] Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.

Readers Comments

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Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future - Species Database. Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
WEB search engine by Rich Morris - Home Page- Contact Info
Blagdon Cross, Ashwater, Beaworthy, Devon, EX21 5DF, UK.
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We make no claims of magical effects or supernatural powers for any item in this catalog. In spite of legendary attributes or occult and craft tradition, such items are offered as curios only and beliefs concerning their magical effectiveness are related only for historical interest.