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Asphodelus aestivus (Common Asphodel, Summer asphodel / Çiriş Otu,

Asphodelus aestivus (Common Asphodel, Summer asphodel / Çiriş Otu,


Asphodelus aestivus (Common Asphodel, Summer asphodel / Çiriş Otu, "Argoşillo") from Bornova, İzmir - 25.03.2009.

This is a member of the Lily family of plants - the Liliaceae - and is extremely common throughout the Mediterranean countries. It is a medium to tall perennial growing to over 1 m. The roots bear spindle-shaped tubers and are edible, and were formerly used as a glue. The plant is unpalatable to grazing animals. Sometimes grows in large colonies.

Flowers. Jan-June.

Size. 50-150 cm.

Flower Blossom. 40 mm. White, 20-40 mm, borne on a much-branched inflorescence. The tepals have a pinkish-brown vein in the middle, usually about 15 mm long. Bracts are whitish.

Leaves. Grey-green basal leaves, 30-45 cm long, flat and narrow, very pointed, slightly vee-shaped, 12-30 mm wide. Habitat. Garrigue, ollive groves, open pine forests, rocky slopes, seashore, waste ground and roadsides.

References: 1. Wikipedia 2. Seçmen,Ö., Gemici,Y., Görk, G., Bekat,L. & Leblebici,E., (1998). Tohumlu Bitkiler Sistematiği (Systematics of Phanerogamae). Ege University Press, Publ. No. 116, Bornova, Izmir.