Asphodelus albus, common name white asphodel, is a herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the genus Asphodelus.
Description
White asphodel grows to a height of . The plain stem is supported by fleshy, thickened roots (
). The leaves, which originate from the base of the stem, are gutter-shaped and
glaucous (covered by a waxy coating), about wide and long. The white hermaphroditic flowers are funnel-shaped, of diameter, with six elongated petals. The flowering period extends from April through June. The egg-shaped yellow-green seed capsules are usually in length.
Subspecies
-
Asphodelus albus subsp. carpetanus Z. Díaz & Valdés
-
Asphodelus albus subsp. delphinensis (Gren. & Godr.) Z. Díaz & Valdés
-
Asphodelus albus subsp. occidentalis (Jord.) Z.Díaz & Valdés
-
Asphodelus albus subsp. villarsii (Verl. ex Billot) I. Richardson & Smythies
Distribution and habitat
This plant is native to the
Mediterranean area. It is commonly found in
Grassland and heathland of northern
Portugal, central
Spain, southwest
France, and along the southern
Alps to the western
Balkans up to an altitude of . It is also found on the African continent, mainly in Libyan territory. Soils with a high lime content are preferred.
In culture
White asphodel is a feature of the
Asphodel Meadows.
In
Ancient Greece, white asphodel was associated with mourning and death.
Its presence was held to facilitate the transition of the dead to
Elysium.
White asphodel is also known by the name of branched lily or king's spear.
White asphodel roots were used as food staple in ancient Greece: According to Pliny the Elder, one plant could produce up to 80 tubers. Charles de L´ecluse wrote that he saw 200 tubers attached to one plant. Theophrastus mentioned that the roasted stalk and seeds could be used as food as well. Asphodel is supposed to have extended Epimenides life. The custom of planting graves in Greece with asphodel described in 1887 Macmillan's Magazine may have been to provide nourishment to the dead.
It was introduced as an ornamental in England in 1551, and as of 1887 "extensively used in Algeria for the manufacture of alcohol".
Asphodelus albus from Mavrovo National Park.jpg|In Mavrovo National Park, North Macedonia
Abrótega.jpg|In the mountain range of Montemuro, northern Portugal
Asphodèle blanc MHNT.BOT.2004.0.398.jpg|Capsules and seeds
External links
