Asphodelus albus

Life-forms

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Monocots
Ordo: Asparagales

Familia: Asphodelaceae
Subfamilia: Asphodeloideae
Genus: Asphodelus
Sectio: A. sect. Asphodelus
Species: Asphodelus albus
Subspecies: A. a. subsp. albus – A. a. subsp. carpetanus – A. a. subsp. delphinensis – A. a. subsp. occidentalis
Name

Asphodelus albus Mill., Gard. Dict. ed. 8: n.º 3. 1768.
Synonyms

Homotypic
Asphodelus ramosus subsp. albus (Mill.) Baker, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 15: 270. 1876.
Asphodelus ramosus var. albus (Mill.) Fiori, Nuov. Fl. Italia 1: 276. 1923.

Homonyms

Asphodelus albus Boiss., Voy. Bot. Espagne: 618. 1842, nom. illeg.

Distribution
Native distribution areas:

Continental: Europe
Regional: Middle Europe
Hungary, Switzerland.
Regional: Southwestern Europe
France, Spain.
Regional: Southeastern Europe
Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Yugoslavia.

Source(s) of checklist:

References: Brummitt, R.K. 2001. TDWG – World Geographical Scheme for Recording Plant Distributions, 2nd Edition
References

Miller, P. 1768. The Gardeners Dictionary: containing the best and newest methods of cultivating and improving the kitchen, fruit, flower garden, and nursery. Ed. 8, 3 volumes (without pagination), John & Francis Rivington, London. DOI: 10.5962/bhl.title.541 Reference page.
Díaz Lifante, Z. & Valdés, B. 1996. Revisión del género Asphodelus L. (Asphodelaceae) en el Mediterráneo Occidental. Boissiera 52: 1–189 (!88–103). PDF Reference page.
Tutin, T.G., Heywood, V.H., Burges, N.A., Moore, D.M., Valentine, D.H., Walters, S.M. & Webb, D.A. (eds.) 1980. Flora Europaea. Volume 5: Alismataceae to Orchidaceae (Monocotyledones). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge / London / New Rochelle / Melbourne / Sydney, xxxvi + 452 pp., ISBN 0-521-20108-X. Reference page.
Govaerts, R. et al. 2011. Asphodelus albus in World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the internet. Accessed: 2011 Feb 10. Reference page.
Tropicos.org 2012. Asphodelus albus. Missouri Botanical Garden. Published on the internet. Accessed: 2012 June 26.
International Plant Names Index. 2012. Asphodelus albus. Published online. Accessed: June 26 2012.

Vernacular names
català: Albó de muntanya
Deutsch: Weißer Affodill
English: White asphodel
euskara: Anbulo zuria
suomi: Valkosoihtu
français: Asphodèle blanc
galego: Abrótega
magyar: Genyőte
Nederlands: Witte affodil
svenska: Afodill

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

Description

White asphodel grows to a height of 50–120 centimetres (20–47 in). The plain stem is supported by fleshy, thickened roots (rhizomes). The leaves, which originate from the base of the stem, are gutter-shaped and glaucous (covered by a waxy coating), about 20–22 millimetres (0.79–0.87 in) wide and 50–70 centimetres (20–28 in) long. The white hermaphroditic flowers are funnel-shaped, 4 centimetres (1.6 in) of diameter, with six elongated petals. The flowering period extends from April through June. The egg-shaped yellow-green seed capsules are usually 8–10 millimetres (0.31–0.39 in) in length.[1]
Subspecies

Asphodelus albus subsp. villarsii (Verl. ex Billot) I. Richardson & Smythies
Asphodelus albus subsp. carpetanus
Asphodelus albus subsp. delphinensis
Asphodelus albus subsp. occidentalis

Distribution and habitat

This plant is native to the Mediterranean area. It is commonly found in meadows and heathland of central Spain, southwest France, and along the southern Alps to the western Balkans up to an altitude of 2,000 metres (6,600 ft). It is also found on the continent Africa, mainly in Libyan territory. Soils with a high lime content are preferred.
In culture
See also: Asphodel Meadows

In Ancient Greece, white asphodel was associated with mourning and death.[1] Its presence was held to facilitate the transition of the dead to Elysium, and it is a feature of the Asphodel Meadows.

References

"Asphodelus albus". Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 22 February 2021.

Pignatti S. - Flora d'Italia - Edagricole – 1982 Vol. III, pag. 346
Plants profile
Asphodelus albus
Encyclopædia Britannica