Asphodelus macrocarpus

Appearance

''Asphodelus macrocarpus'' grows to a height of 60–150 centimetres . The stem is erect, plain, cylindrical and glabrous. It is supported by fleshy, thickened roots . All the leaves are basal, gutter-shaped and covered by a greyish waxy coating. They are about 10–40 millimetres wide and 50–100 centimetres long. The terminal raceme is almost cylindrical, about 25–35 centimetres long. The flowers are hermaphroditic, funnel-shaped, about 4 centimetres of diameter, with six elongated white petals. The stamens have a white filament of about 17 mm. Anthers are oval, yellow- orange 2.5 millimetres long. The flowering period extends from late April through June. The egg-shaped yellow-green seed capsules are about 18 millimetres long.

Distribution

This plant is typical of the most of the Alps and of the Apennines.

Habitat

This plant is commonly found in meadows, uncultivated fields and mediterranean mountain pastures at an altitude of 300–1,800 metres above sea level.