We depend on donations from users of our database of over 8000 edible and useful plants to keep making it available free of charge and to further extend and improve it. In recent months donations are down, and we are spending more than we receive. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

Asphodelus albus - Mill.

Common Name Asphodel, Gamón-blanco
Family Asphodelaceae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards The root is poisonous[7].
Habitats Ploughed fields, rough ground[7], dry hills and mountain meadows[45, 50].
Range S. Europe.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Asphodelus albus Asphodel, Gamón-blanco


(c) 2010 Ken Fern & Plants For A Future
Asphodelus albus Asphodel, Gamón-blanco
(c) 2010 Ken Fern & Plants For A Future

 

Translate this page:

Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Asphodelus albus is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to June. 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 and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

A. macrocarpus.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Cultivated Beds;

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[7].

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.
Antidermatosic  Detergent  Emollient  Vulnerary

The tubers are antidermatosic, detergent, emollient and vulnerary[7]. They are mainly used externally in the treatment of skin conditions and for lightening freckles[7]. They have also been employed internally as a cough remedy[7]. The tubers are harvested in the spring and dried for later use[7]. Use internally with caution, especially if you are suffering from nephritis or gastritis[7].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

Now available: PLANTS FOR YOUR FOOD FOREST: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens.

An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.

Read More

FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

Alcohol

An alcohol can be obtained from the fermented roots[7].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil, tolerating partial shade[200]. Requires a well-drained soil and a sheltered position[42]. Prefers a deep rich sandy loamy soil[1, 111]. Prefers a soil that is not too rich and a sunny position[200]. Grows well on hot dry banks and in thin grass[42, 200]. Established plants are drought tolerant[190]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[187]. 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:

image

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

Shop Now

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

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Asphodelus aestivus Perennial1.0 7-10  LMSNDM311
Asphodelus fistulosusOnionweedAnnual/Perennial0.6 7-10  LMSNDM210
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.

 

Print Friendly and PDF

Expert comment

Author

Mill.

Botanical References

50200

Links / References

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

Readers comment

Landfried van Esser   Sun Sep 28 2008

i find this plant in the Alps on de southside, in the sun en a little bite moist. altitude about more than 1600 meter. Soory, I am a dutch speaking person.

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.

Subject : Asphodelus albus  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.