German-asphodel (Tofieldia calyculata, Fl. Lapp.: 90 (1812))

Family: Tofieldiaceae

Author: (L.) Wahlenb.

Bibliography: Fl. Lapp.: 90 (1812)

Year: 1812

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Tofieldia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Gotland to Pyrenees and NC. Ukraine

Description

The German-asphodel, known scientifically as Tofieldia calyculata, is a delicate and intriguing plant species that belongs to the Tofieldiaceae family. First recorded in the literature “Flora Lapponica” in 1812, this resilient plant has been meticulously classified by the esteemed botanist Wahlenberg, based on the initial description by the notable Linnaeus (L.).

German-asphodel thrives in various regions spanning from Gotland in Sweden to the Pyrenees in France and is also found in the north-central regions of Ukraine. Its widespread presence across these diverse European landscapes highlights its robust adaptability to different ecological environments.

The plant is characterized by its graceful, grass-like leaves and small, but intricately structured flowers that appear in clusters. These features not only add a touch of elegance to the natural habitats it occupies but also play a crucial role in the ecological interactions within these regions.

Often encountered in moist, alpine meadows and swampy areas, Tofieldia calyculata contributes significantly to the biodiversity of such ecosystems. Its preference for such habitats underscores the importance of wetland conservation efforts, ensuring that the intricate balance of these environments is maintained.

In summary, the German-asphodel is not only a botanical wonder due to its historical significance and geographical distribution but also an environmental asset that underscores the richness of Europe’s floral diversity.

Common Names

Eng: german-asphodel, alpine-asphodel
Deu: gewöhnliche simsenlilie, kelch-simsenlilie
Nor: biønbrodd, myrbrodd
Lav: kauslapu tofieldija
Swe: kärrlilja
Nob: myrlilje
Nno: myrlilje
En: German-asphodel, Alpine-asphodel, Alpine Asphodel, False Asphodel, German Asphodel, Mountain Scottish Asphodel, Tofield’s Asphodel, Gwehnligi Simselilie
Be: Тафільдыя чашачкавая
Ca: Tofièldia
Hr: Čaškasta baluška
Cs: Kohátka kalíškatá
Nl: Bieslelie
Et: Lemmelill
Fi: Lettokarhunruoho
Fr: Tofieldie à calicule, Tofieldie calyculée
De: Gewöhnliche Simsenlilie, Hüllen-Simsenlilie, Kelch-Liliensimse, Kelch-Simsenlilie, Kelch-Torflilie, Torflilie, Gemeine Simsenlilie
It: Falso Asfodelo, Tajola comune
Lv: Kauslapu tofieldija
Lt: Taurinė pudmė
No: Myrlilje, Biønbrodd, Myrbrodd
Nb: Myrlilje
Nn: Myrlilje
Pl: Kosatka kielichowa
Ru: Тофильдия чашечковая
Sv: Kärrlilja

Synonyms

• Tofieldia racemosa (Hoppe & Hornsch.)
• Tofieldia calyculata var. glacialis ((Gaudin) Nyman)
• Narthecium iridifolium (Vill.)
• Asphodeliris calyculata ((L.) Kuntze)
• Anthericum pseudoasphodelus (Jacq.)
• Tofieldia palustris var. vulgaris (Hoppe)
• Scheuchzeria calyculata ((L.) Scop.)
• Tofieldia calyculata var. racemosa (Rchb.)
• Tofieldia stenopetala (Sm.)
• Cymba calyculata ((L.) Dulac)
• Tofieldia collina ((C.C.Gmel.) Schult.)
• Tofieldia rubra (F.Br.)
• Tofieldia calyculata var. collina ((C.C.Gmel.) Bolzon)
• Tofieldia glacialis var. ramosa (Gaudin)
• Hebelia collina (C.C.Gmel.)
• Hebelia allemanica (C.C.Gmel.)
• Tofieldia palustris var. collina ((C.C.Gmel.) Hoppe)
• Tofieldia allemannica (Bluff & Fingerh.)
• Heriteria anthericoides (Schrank)
• Narthecium alpinum (Michx.)
• Tofieldia calyculata var. ramosa (Wimm. & Grab.)
• Tofieldia calyculata subsp. borealis ((Willd.) Douin)
• Tofieldia calyculata f. ramosa ((Wimm. & Grab.) Bolzon)
• Narthecium calyculatum ((L.) Lam.)
• Isidrogalvia calyculata ((L.) Ruiz & Pav.)
• Tofieldia calyculata subsp. rubra ((F.Br.) K.Richt.)
• Scheuchzeria pseudoasphodelus ((Jacq.) Scop.)
• Tofieldia glacialis (Gaudin)
• Tofieldia anthericoides (Roth)
• Tofieldia palustris var. rubescens (Hoppe)
• Tofieldia palustris (Huds.)
• Tofieldia calyculata subsp. collina ((C.C.Gmel.) K.Richt.)
• Helonias borealis (Willd.)
• Helonias anthericoides (Hoppe ex Schult. & Schult.f.)
• Tofieldia nutans var. rubescens ((Hoppe) Nakai)

Distribution

• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Italy (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Aug 11, 2021 by Pierluigi Polese (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 2, 2019 by Paul Henrich (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 14, 2020 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2022 by helene Reverdi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 3, 1999 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 3, 1999 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 2, 2019 by Paul Henrich (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 21, 2022 by margarida vila (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 9, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 9, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 9, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 1, 2018 by Vladimír Valach (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2864397)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:542255-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Tofieldia calyculata (L.) Wahlenb.)
• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 7.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’]

Soil nutriments: 2