Practical
Plants

Asphodelus aestivus

a perennial evergreen member of the Asphodelus genus in the family Asphodelaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Height
1 m
Spread
0.3 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Tuber - cooked[10]. Rich in starch[14][6]. Dried and boiled in water it yields a mucilaginous matter which can be mixed with grain to make a nutritious bread[10][2]. Boiling destroys the acrid principle in the tubers[10], rendering them quite pleasant to eat[K]. Flowering stalk - cooked[14][5]. Seed - roasted[14][5].

Plant part
Root
Plant part
Seed
Plant part
Stem

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The root, gathered at the end of its first year, is acrid, antispasmodic, diuretic, emmenagogue[10]. It was used in the treatment of several diseases by the Greeks and Romans, but is not employed in modern medicine[10].

Product or use
Acrid
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emmenagogue

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The dried tuber is pulverized and mixed with cold water to make a strong glue[10] that is used by bookmakers and shoemakers[13][14][5]. A yellow dye is obtained from the tuber[12][13].

Product or use
Adhesive
Product or use
Dye

Environment

Range
S. Europe. N. Africa. W. Asia.
Habitat
Rocky places, hills, dry places[14] and on poor uncultivated ground[11].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow March/April in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place in 1 - 3 months at 15°c[4]. 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[3].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil, tolerating partial shade[8]. Requires a well-drained soil[1][8]. Prefers a deep rich sandy loamy soil[1][3]. Prefers a sunny position and a soil that is not too rich[8]. Grows well on hot dry banks[11]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[8]. Plants are evergreen in mild winters[8]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[9]. This species is closely related to A. ramosus[7].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  3. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00

    ↩

  5. Niebuhr. A. D. Herbs of Greece. Herb Society of America. 1970-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  7. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩

  8. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  9. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  10. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  11. Grey. C. H. Hardy Bulbs. Williams & Norgate. 1938-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  12. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  13. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2

  14. Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7012-0784-1

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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