This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Asphodelus fistulosus
  • Onionweed

an annual or perennial member of the Asphodelus genus in the family Asphodelaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 8
    Zone 8
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Asphodelus fistulosus has 0 edible uses listed
Asphodelus fistulosus has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Root - cooked.[1][2][3] The root is fibrous according to one report[4] whilst another says that the swollen root has radical root fibres[5]. The plant is eaten as a vegetable, records of 'edible bulbs' seem to be erroneous[6].

Leaves

Unknown use

Root

Unknown use

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Asphodelus fistulosus.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The seed is diuretic[7]. It is also applied externally to ulcers and inflamed parts of the body[7]. The seed contains oils rich in linoleic acid and are of value in preventing atherosclerosis[7].

Unknown part

Diuretic
Skin

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

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[8]. 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[9].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Asphodelus fistulosus. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil, tolerating partial shade[10]. Requires a well-drained soil. Prefers a deep rich sandy loamy soil[11][5]. Prefers a sunny position in a soil that is not too rich[10]. Grows well on hot dry banks[5].

This species is a perennial, though it is not very hardy in Britain. This has contributed to the mistaken belief that it is an annual. A covering of bracken overwinter is usually ample protection in most districts[5]. The flowers are sweetly scented[12].

Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[13].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Asphodelus fistulosus. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Asphodelus fistulosus.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Asphodelus fistulosus
Genus
Asphodelus
Family
Asphodelaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Medicinal uses
[7]
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[14][10]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
8
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    annual, perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.6 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:Onionweed.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Onionweed.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Onionweed.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Onionweed.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Onionweed.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Onionweed.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Onionweed.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Onionweed.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Onionweed.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Onionweed.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Onionweed.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Onionweed.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Onionweed.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Onionweed.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press ISBN 0192176218 (1969-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.4 Grey. C. H. Hardy Bulbs. Williams & Norgate. (1938-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.3 Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. (1986-00-00)
    8. ? Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. (1988-00-00)
    9. ? Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge (1926-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.2 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    11. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    12. ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
    13. ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
    14. ? ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press (1964-00-00)

    Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-89" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.

    "image:Onionweed.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Asphodelus_fistulosus&oldid=75337"
    Facts about "Asphodelus fistulosus"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyAsphodelaceae +
    Belongs to genusAsphodelus +
    Has binomial nameAsphodelus fistulosus +
    Has common nameOnionweed +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partLeaves + and Root +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeInsects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone8 +
    Has imageOnionweed.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typeAnnual + and Perennial +
    Has mature height0.6 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useDiuretic + and Skin +
    Has primary imageOnionweed.jpg +
    Has search nameasphodelus fistulosus + and onionweed +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy + and Loamy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameAsphodelus fistulosus +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Asphodelus fistulosus +, Asphodelus fistulosus +, Asphodelus fistulosus + and Asphodelus fistulosus +