Asphodelus albus

Boiss.

White asphodel

Xanthorrhoeaceae Edible: Root, Tuber Potential hazards — see below 4,061 iNaturalist observations

medicinal

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Summary

Source: Wikipedia

Asphodelus albus, common name white asphodel, is a herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the genus Asphodelus.

Description

A clump forming herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 1 m tall. It has a swollen root. The leaves are very narrow and 60 cm long. The flowering stems are 30-90 cm tall. The flowers are white or pink. They have a pinkish-brown stripe on each petal. The flowers are 30-40 mm long and in dense spike like groups.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root Edible Uses: The root was at one time eaten as a food but, since it contains the alkaloid asphodeline, this is not really very advisable.

Traditional Uses

Caution The root is cooked and reduced to a pulp then blended with barley and buckwheat flours.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

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

Known Hazards

The root is poisonous.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It grows on rocky ground and woodland. It suits hardiness zones 6-10.

Where It Grows

Africa, Australia, Balkans, Bosnia, Europe, France, Greece, Italy, Mediterranean, North Africa, Slovenia, Spain,

Cultivation

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

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. 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.

Other Uses

Alcohol An alcohol can be obtained from the fermented roots. Special Uses

Other Information

It is a famine food.

Notes

There are 12 Asphodelus species. Also put in the family Asphodelaceae.

Synonyms

Asphodelus macrocarpus Parl.

Also Known As

Capljan, Gamon, Navadni zlati koren

References (11)

Bircher, A. G. & Bircher, W. H., 2000, Encyclopedia of Fruit Trees and Edible Flowering Plants in Egypt and the Subtropics. AUC Press. p 45
Blamey, M and Grey-Wilson, C., 2005, Wild flowers of the Mediterranean. A & C Black London. p 469
Blanco-Salas, J., et al, 2019, Wild Plants Potentially Used in Human Food in the Protected Area “Sierra Grande de Hornachos” of Extremadura (Spain). Sustainability 2019, 11, 456
Brickell, C. (Ed.), 1999, The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Convent Garden Books. p 146
Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 197

Show all 11 references

Gard. dict. ed. 8: Asphodelus no. 3. 1768
Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 34
Lim, T. K., 2015, Edible Medicinal and Non Medicinal Plants. Volume 9, Modified Stems, Roots, Bulbs. Springer p 13
PARMENTIER
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
Redzic, S. J., 2006, Wild Edible Plants and their Traditional Use in the Human Nutrition in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Ecology of Food and Nutrition, 45:189-232