Asphodelus aestivus

Asphodelus aestivus is a perennial in the Asphodelaceae family. It grows from tubers and forms clumps of leaves. Kew places its native range in central and southern Portugal, extending into southwestern and central Spain. Other sources give a much wider range around the Mediterranean. PFAF records it on rocky hills and dry ground. It also lists poor land that people do not cultivate.

Garden plants reach about 1.6–3.3 feet [0.5–1 metre] tall. Clumps spread about 0.3–1.6 feet [0.1–0.5 metres] wide. The broad, strap-like leaves feel thick and leathery. The plant sheds its leaves rather than keeping them year-round. Branched flower spikes rise in mid- to late spring. The star-shaped flowers are white, sometimes with a pink tint. Round, green seed pods follow the blooms. These pods can add interest after the flowers fade.

Grow this plant in full sun with soil that drains well. The RHS recommends soil with a moderate level of nutrients. Chalk, loam and sand suit it. It accepts acid, neutral and alkaline soils. Heavy soil that holds water can cause dieback. The RHS gives it a UK hardiness rating of H4. PFAF lists USDA zones 7–10. Plants take around two to five years to reach full size. Aphids may attack, but the RHS reports few disease problems.

Use it in gravel gardens, flower beds or informal borders. The RHS also suggests prairie plantings, banks and slopes. Its form suits Mediterranean-style gardens and sunny woodland edges. Cut spent flower stems back, or keep them for their pods. Sow seed in pots in a cold frame during spring. Clumps can also be divided once flowering ends. These methods offer two ways to raise more plants.

PFAF records food uses for the tubers, flowering stalks and seeds. It describes cooking the tubers and stalks, and roasting the seeds. Boiling removes an acrid substance from the tubers. The source reports no known hazards, but this does not establish safety for pets or raw consumption. It also records past medicinal uses of the root. These include use by Greeks and Romans, rather than modern medical practice. Other recorded uses include glue made from dried, ground tubers. The tubers also yield a yellow dye.