Asphodelus aestivus
Asphodelus aestivus Brot.
Asphodelus aestivus, the summer asphodel, is a Western Mediterranean geophyte with a short vertical rhizome and basal leaves. It produces actinomorphic, pinkish-white flowers with six perianth segments and six stamens arranged in two whorls. The species is native to the Western Mediterranean, particularly Portugal and Spain, where it grows in dry grasslands, phrygana, and on rocky or sandy ground.
Description
Asphodelus aestivus is a member of the Asphodelaceae family and is distinguished by its pinkish-white, actinomorphic flowers, each with six perianth segments measuring 14–19 mm in length. The plant features a short vertical rhizome and basal leaves. It is primarily found in the Western Mediterranean, with a distribution limited to Portugal and Spain on the European mainland. It thrives in dry grasslands, phrygana, and on rocky or sandy soils. The species has often been confused with Asphodelus ramosus due to their similarities, leading to taxonomic and nomenclatural challenges. First described in 1804 by Brot., the plant is commonly referred to as the summer asphodel.
Distribution
Portugal Continental · Global · Portugal · Spain
Synonyms
Asphodelus microcarpus var. aestivus
