Asphodelus macrocarpus
| Asphodelus macrocarpus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Plant of Asphodelus macrocarpus | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Xanthorrhoeaceae |
| Subfamily: | Asphodeloideae |
| Genus: | Asphodelus |
| Species: | A. macrocarpus |
| Binomial name | |
| Asphodelus macrocarpus Parl. | |
Asphodelus macrocarpus is a herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the genus Asphodelus of the Liliaceae family. The Latin name macrocarpus of this species derives from the Greek μακρός (meaning large) and καρπειον (meaning fruit), referred to the size of the fruits.
Description
Asphodelus macrocarpus grows to a height of 60–150 centimetres (24–59 in). The stem is erect, plain, cylindrical and glabrous. It is supported by fleshy, thickened roots (rhizomes). All the leaves are basal, gutter-shaped and covered by a greyish waxy coating. They are about 10–40 millimetres (0.39–1.57 in) wide and 50–100 centimetres (20–39 in) long. The terminal raceme is almost cylindrical, about 25–35 centimetres (9.8–13.8 in) long. The flowers are hermaphroditic, funnel-shaped, about 4 centimetres (1.6 in) 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 (0.098 in) long. The flowering period extends from late April through June. The egg-shaped yellow-green seed capsules are about 18 millimetres (0.71 in) long.
Gallery
 Plants of Asphodelus macrocarpus |
 Inflorescence of Asphodelus macrocarpus |
 Flowers of Asphodelus macrocarpus |
 Flower of Asphodelus macrocarpus |
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 (980–5,910 ft) above sea level.
References
- Pignatti S. - Flora d'Italia - Edagricole – 1982 Vol. III
- Asphodelus macrocarpus
- Conti F. et al. - Checklist of the Italian Vascular Flora - Palombi Editori - 2005
- The Plant List
- World Checklist