Asphodelus macrocarpus

Asphodelus macrocarpus
	Plant of Asphodelus macrocarpus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Asphodelaceae
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 Asphodelaceae 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

Distribution and habitat

This plant is typical of most of the Alps and of the Apennines (Italy). 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

External links

This Asphodelaceae article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.