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Asphodelus fistulosus - L.

Common Name Onionweed
Family Asphodelaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry sandy or rocky places[50] in fields, track-sides and uncultivated ground[89].
Range S. Europe - Mediterranean. W. Asia.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Asphodelus fistulosus Onionweed


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Onionweed.jpg
Asphodelus fistulosus Onionweed
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Lycaon

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Asphodelus fistulosus is a ANNUAL/PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

A. tenuifolius. Cav.

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Root
Edible Uses:

Root - cooked.[46, 61, 105] The root is fibrous according to one report[100] whilst another says that the swollen root has radical root fibres[42]. The plant is eaten as a vegetable, records of 'edible bulbs' seem to be erroneous[177].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Diuretic  Skin

The seed is diuretic[240]. It is also applied externally to ulcers and inflamed parts of the body[240]. The seed contains oils rich in linoleic acid and are of value in preventing atherosclerosis[240].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil, tolerating partial shade[200]. Requires a well-drained soil. Prefers a deep rich sandy loamy soil[1, 42]. Prefers a sunny position in a soil that is not too rich[200]. Grows well on hot dry banks[42]. This species is often a short-lived perennial[270], 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[42]. Asphodelus fistulosus has become a noxious weed in California and in other places with Mediterranean climates worldwide[270]. The flowers are sweetly scented[245]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plant 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[134]. 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[111].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Hollow-stemmed asphodel, wild onion, onionweed, onion-leafed asphodel, and pink asphodel.

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Cyprus, Egypt (Sinai), Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey EUROPE: Former Yugoslavia, Greece (incl. Crete), Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), Spain (incl. Baleares), France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Spain (Canarias), Portugal (Madeira Islands), Algeria (north), Morocco, Tunisia (possibly)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

This plant can be weedy or invasive. An invasive exotic weed in the US, with significant infestations in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. It is listed as a Federal Noxious Weed by the United States Department of Agriculture. Also a common weed in parts of Australia, New Zealand, and Mexico, and it thrives in any area with a Mediterranean climate.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Status: Least Concern

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Asphodelus aestivus Perennial1.0 7-10  LMSNDM311
Asphodelus albusAsphodel, Gamón-blancoPerennial1.0 5-9  LMSNDM212
Hemerocallis lilioasphodelusYellow Day LilyPerennial0.6 4-8  LMHSNDM422

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

50200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

   Tue Dec 28 01:19:55 2004

This plant is found in Malta/Mediterranean basin/Europe

More comprehensive details, medicinal properties, uses, botanical data, plant description and photogallery of high resolutions photos of this plant can be seen on an interesting website about the wild plants of Malta: www.maltawildplants.com

Link: Malta Wild Plants Website and photography by Stephen Mifsud, Malta

M gammon   Thu Jan 5 2006

This is an invasive species and should not be planted in a garden!

Invasive and Exotic species

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