Asphodelus ramosus L. subsp. ramosus

Spice Flower In the field In the field 2

Family: LILIACEAE

Genus: Asphodelus

Sinònims: Asphodelus microcarpus Salzm. & Viv. Asphodelus aestivus Brot.

Catalan common name: Albó. Caramuixa (planta seca). Porrassa.

Spanish common name: Asfódelo. Gamón común.

Province distribution: Balearic Islands. Girona.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca. Ibiza. Formentera. Cabrera. Dragonera.

General distribution (Phytogeography): South Mediterranean

Uses and properties: Furniture, construction and tools. Symbolic uses.

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Geophyte.

Habitats: Xero-acanthic shrubs of the mountanous regions, and steppe-grasslands of Ampelodesmos mauritanica. Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Wild olive trees and other sclerophyllous shrublands. Juniperus phoenicea subsp. turbinata forest. Pine wood and shrubland with rosemary and thyme garigue. Dry and stony soils.

Characteristics: Asphodelus grow everywhere except in tilled land. At field sides and in garrigues (Mediterranean woodland) they can form mats made up of thousands of individual plants. Its flat leaves with a keeled central vein easily distinguish it from Asphodelus fistulosus. It is also much larger: the inflorescence can reach more than a metre and a half in height. It flowers at the beginning of spring.