Asphodelus aestivus is a member of the Lily family of plants – the Liliaceae – and is extremely common throughout the Mediterranean countries. It is native to South Europe,. North Africa and East Asia. Often occurring alongside hollow-stemmed asphodel which has a darker and more pronounced pink stripe on its flower petals and usually blooms slightly later than common asphodel. Muğla-Antalya region Common Asphodel

is often found by Sea Squirll “Urginea maritima”.

Common Asphodel Often appearing as early as December, common asphodel can form vast stands that appear to dominate large areas. It is fond of disturbed and abandoned agricultural land but can appear almost anywhere, including close to the sea. This beautiful wildflower blooms from January onwards and is at its best in February and March. It is seldom seen after April but can occasionally be found flowering right through until early June.

An evergreen perennial growing to 1m by 0.3m. , it tolerates temperatures down to -10°C]. The flowers are hermaphrodite.

The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. The plant can be grown in asidic or basic  soils. It can grow in semi-shade or in sun. It can tolerate drought.

Root, seed and stem of the Asphodelus aestivus are edible. Tuber cooked, rich in starch. Dried and boiled in water it yields a mucilaginous matter which can be mixed with grain to make a nutritious bread. Boiling destroys the acrid principle in the tubers, rendering them quite pleasant to eat. Flowering stalk cooked and seed roasted.

The root, gathered at the end of its first year, is acrid, antispasmodic, diuretic, emmenagogue. It was used in the treatment of several diseases by the Greeks and Romans, but is not employed in modern medicine.

In Persia, glue is made with the bulbs, which are first dried and then pulverized. When mixed with cold water, the powder swellls and forms a strong glue. This glue is used by bookmakers and shoemakers.

Asphodelus aestivus are disliked by grazing animals, A severe neurologic syndrome accompained by intense neuronal pigmentation was described in sheep exposed to Asphodelus aestivus in Turkey.

Propagation: Seed sow March-Aril in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place in 1 – 3 months at 15°C. 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

The Common Asphodel makes attraction with thin, long and green leaves all year around and with the attractive star-shaped flowers in spring. It may be used together with other kind of bulbs as a group. Especially in geofit gardens can be used with, summer and autumn flowering bulbs. One of the best combinations is the use of Common Asphodel with Sea Squirll as in the native lands.