Asphodelus albus
Asphodel
a perennial member of the Asphodelus genus in the family Asphodelaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Asphodelaceae
- Genus
- Asphodelus
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 1 m
- Spread
- 0.45 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The root is poisonous[11].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The root was at one time eaten as a food but, since it contains the alkaloid asphodeline, this is not really very advisable[11].
- Plant part
- Root
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 tubers are antidermatosic, detergent, emollient and vulnerary[11]. They are mainly used externally in the treatment of skin conditions and for lightening freckles[11]. They have also been employed internally as a cough remedy[11]. The tubers are harvested in the spring and dried for later use[11]. Use internally with caution, especially if you are suffering from nephritis or gastritis[11].
- Product or use
- Antidermatosic
- Product or use
- Detergent
- Product or use
- Emollient
- Product or use
- Vulnerary
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
An alcohol can be obtained from the fermented roots[11].
- Product or use
- Ethanol
Environment
- Range
- S. Europe.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 6+
- 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[3]. 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[2].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in ordinary garden soil, tolerating partial shade[6]. Requires a well-drained soil and a sheltered position[8]. Prefers a deep rich sandy loamy soil[1][2]. Prefers a soil that is not too rich and a sunny position[6]. Grows well on hot dry banks and in thin grass[8][6]. Established plants are drought tolerant[5]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[4]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[7].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00
Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982-00-00 ISBN 0460045512
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
Grey. C. H. Hardy Bulbs. Williams & Norgate. 1938-00-00
Polunin. O. Flowers of Greece and the Balkans. Oxford University Press 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-19-217626-9
? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00
Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5