Asphodeline

Asphodeline is a genus of perennial plants in the family Asphodelaceae, first described as a genus in 1830. It is native to the eastern Mediterranean region and the Middle East from Italy and Algeria east to Iran.

Asphodeline has fleshy roots and fragrant, starry flowers that are yellow in May to June. It grows up to 4 ft in well-drained soil. Its foliage is blue-green and grassy, with tall, narrow flower spikes. It takes at least three years before newly planted seedlings flower. The yellow flowers always make an interesting addition to the late-spring garden. The individual flowers on the spikes open in a seemingly random order, and do not last long, being replaced quickly by other flowers. Species Asphodeline anatolica Tuzlaci - Turkey Asphodeline baytopiae Tuzlaci - Turkey, Syria Asphodeline brevicaulis (Bertol.) J.Gay ex Baker - from Greece to Iran Asphodeline cilicica Tuzlaci - Turkey Asphodeline damascena (Boiss.) Baker - Turkey, Syria Asphodeline globifera J.Gay ex Baker - Turkey, Syria Asphodeline liburnica (Scop.) Rchb. - Italy, southern Balkans, Aegean Asphodeline lutea (L.) Rchb. - southeastern Europe, northern Africa, the Caucasus and the Levant. Asphodeline peshmeniana Tuzlaci - Turkey Asphodeline prismatocarpa J.Gay ex Boiss. - Turkey Asphodeline prolifera (M.Bieb.) Kunth - Caucasus, Iran, Turkey Asphodeline recurva Post - Turkey, Syria, Jordan Asphodeline rigidifolia (Boiss. & Heldr.) Baker - Turkey Asphodeline sertachiae Tuzlaci - Turkey Asphodeline taurica (Pall. ex M.Bieb.) Endl. - from Albania to Caucasus Asphodeline tenuior (Fisch. ex M.Bieb.) Ledeb. - Caucasus, Iran, Turkey Asphodeline turcica Tuzlaci - Turkey