Summer Asphodel

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Summer Asphodel

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Asphodelus microcarpus var. aestivus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. It falls into the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asparagales, specifically within the family Asphodelaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by its genus, Asphodelus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily located within the specific regions of Southwestern Europe. Its natural habitat includes the coastal and inland areas of Portugal. Furthermore, it is widely distributed throughout the landscapes of Spain. These two countries represent the core geographical range for the species. Therefore, its presence is concentrated within this particular part of the European continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Asphodelus aestivus is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural survival strategy, it functions as a geophyte, relying on underground storage organs to endure unfavorable environmental conditions. This growth habit is further categorized under the broader life form of a cryptophyte, indicating that its regenerative buds are protected beneath the soil surface, ensuring its long-term survival and ability to re-emerge seasonally.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

Morphologically, Asphodelus aestivus is characterized as a non-woody herb that exhibits a self-supporting growth habit. The plant typically reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 1.5 m. It functions as an independent organism, maintaining a terrestrial lifestyle rather than acting as an epiphyte or a parasite.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Asphodelus aestivus is characterized by a fundamental metabolic framework driven by a C3 photosynthetic pathway. In this process, carbon dioxide is initially fixed into a three-carbon compound, 3-phosphoglycerate, through the action of the enzyme RuBisCO during the Calvin cycle. This metabolic strategy dictates the plant's gas exchange patterns and water-use efficiency, as it relies on the simultaneous opening of stomata for CO2 uptake and the transpiration of water vapor. The efficiency of its physiological performance is closely linked to environmental variables such as light intensity, temperature, and moisture availability, which influence the rate of carboxylation and the subsequent production of carbohydrates required for its growth and survival in its native Mediterranean habitats.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Asphodelus aestivus is characterized by a versatile flowering period that can occur throughout the entire year, typically beginning around March, though it is noted to be variable across different months. The plant produces dry fruit in the form of a capsule, which is classified as a dehiscence-based structure. These capsules are relatively small, measuring between 0.5 cm and 0.8 cm in length, and ranging from 0.6 cm to 1 cm in width. Within these fruits, the seeds exhibit a mean mass of approximately 0.00978 g, with individual seed masses fluctuating between a minimum of 0.0079 g and a maximum of 0.01304 g. The dispersal of the seeds is achieved through two primary syndromes: anemochory (wind dispersal) and autochory (self-dispersal), ensuring the spread of the species within its habitat.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flowering time :

Mar

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

0.8 cm

Fruit length min:

0.5 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Fruit width max:

1 cm

Fruit width min:

0.6 cm

Seed mass max:

0.01304 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00978 g

Seed mass min:

0.0079 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Asphodelus aestivus has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Asphodelus aestivus has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial.

Antimicrobial

1. Turkish journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Conditions

Asphodelus aestivus has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Candida albicans.

Candida albicans

1. Turkish journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Preparations

Asphodelus aestivus has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include decoction, methanol extracts.

Decoction

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Methanol extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology