Scientific Name
Asphodelus fistulosus L.
Common Names
Onionweed, Wild Onion, Onion-leafed Asphodel, Pink Asphodel, Hollow-stemmed Asphodel
Synonyms
Asphodelus fistulosus subsp. fistulosus, Asphodelus fistulosus var. fistulosus, Anthericum unilineatum, Asphodeloides ramosa, Asphodelus davei, Asphodelus dunensis, Asphodelus intermedius, Asphodelus parviflorus, Glyphosperma palmeri, Ophioprason fistulosum, Verinea fistulosa
Scientific Classification
Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae
Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
Genus: Asphodelus
Flower
Color: White or pale pink with a neat central longitudinal stripe of brown to reddish-purple
Bloom Time: Winter to spring
Description
Asphodelus fistulosus is an annual or short-lived perennial herb with a hollow stem that grows up to 28 inches (70 cm) tall. The root system has a series of tuber-like parts at the base of the stem. The plant takes the form of a large tuft of rounded, hollow, onion-like, up to 12 inches (30 cm) long leaves. The inflorescence is a panicle with widely spaced flowers. Each flower is up to 0.5 inches (1.2 cm) wide with six tepals, generally white or pale pink with a neat central longitudinal stripe of brown to reddish-purple. Flowers are diurnal, closing at night and in overcast or low-light weather conditions. Fruits are rounded capsules containing six seeds.
How to Grow and Care
Grow Asphodels in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. It does not tolerate heavy, poorly-drained soil. Irrigate occasionally to very little in coastal gardens. Considered hardy to USDA zone 6. It tolerates temperature down to 14ºF (-10ºC). Great as a border or accent plant.
Propagate Asphodels by seed, sown in pots in a cold frame in spring, or propagate by division after flowering. Although you can cut back flower stems after flowering, the seed heads are attractive so that they can be left.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Asphodels.
Origin
Native to the Mediterranean region.
Links
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