Family: Asphodelaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 309 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Asphodelus
Vegetable: False
Observations: Macaronesia, Medit. to Arabian Pen., Mauritius
Description
Wild onion, scientifically known as Asphodelus fistulosus, boasts an intriguing history dating back to its inclusion in botanical literature by the renowned taxonomist Carl Linnaeus in 1753. A member of the Asphodelaceae family, this versatile and resilient plant has established itself across diverse regions, from the archipelagos of Macaronesia and the expansive Mediterranean basin to the Arabian Peninsula and even the remote island of Mauritius.
The wild onion is characterized by its hollow, tube-like leaves and small, star-shaped flowers, which typically bloom in shades of white with delicate pink or purple veins. These flowers cluster along slender, leafless stems, creating a display that is both understated and elegant. Though its appearance might be unassuming, the plant is well adapted to thrive in various environments, from coastal regions to rocky, arid landscapes.
In its native habitats, wild onion plays an important ecological role. It often colonizes disturbed soils, aiding in soil stabilization and preventing erosion. Its flowers are also a valuable source of nectar for pollinators such as bees and butterflies, contributing to the local biodiversity and promoting healthy ecosystems.
Culturally, Asphodelus fistulosus has been utilized in traditional practices, though it is not commonly associated with the same culinary uses as its Allium relatives in the onion family. Instead, its significance is often linked to its hardy nature and its ability to flourish in less-than-ideal conditions, making it a symbol of resilience and endurance.
Overall, the wild onion stands as a testament to nature’s adaptability, with Asphodelus fistulosus persisting across continents and climates, demonstrating both beauty and utility in the natural world.
Common Names
Dan: hulstilket affodil
Eng: onionweed, hollow-stem asphodel, onion asphodel, wild onion, hollow-stemmed asphodel, pink asphodel
Deu: röhren-affodill
Swe: pipafodill, pip-afodill, liten dödslilja, pipaffodill
Nno: laukasfodill
Nob: løkasfodill
En: Wild onion, Onion asphodel, Onionweed, Hollow-stem asphodel, Hollow-stemmed Asphodel, Pink asphodel, Hollow-leaved Asphodel
Ar: بروق أجوف
Bn: অ্যাসফোডেলাস ফিস্টুলোসাস
Ca: Cebollí, Cebollina, Cebolló, Porrassí
Cs: Asfodel dutolistý
Da: Hulstilket affodil
Fi: Pillisoihtu
Fr: Asphodèle fistuleux, Asphodèle fistuleuse
De: Röhriger Affodill, Röhren-Affodill
He: עירית נבובה
It: Asfodelo fistoloso
Nb: Løkasfodill
Nn: Laukasfodill
Pt: Gambanito
Es: Gamonita, Gamoncillo, Gamón fistuloso
Sv: Pipafodill, Pip-afodill, Liten dödslilja, Pipaffodill
Tr: Hıdırellezkamçısı
Synonyms
- Asphodelus fistulosus var. typicus (Maire)
- Ophioprason fistulosum ((L.) Salisb.)
- Verinea fistulosa ((L.) Pomel)
- Asphodelus fistulosus var. genuinus (Briq.)
- Asphodeloides ramosa (Moench)
Distribution
- Albania (native)
- Algeria (native)
- Azores (native)
- Baleares (native)
- Canary Is. (native)
- Cape Verde (native)
- Corse (native)
- Cyprus (native)
- East Aegean Is. (native)
- France (native)
- Greece (native)
- Italy (native)
- Kriti (native)
- Lebanon-Syria (native)
- Libya (native)
- Madeira (native)
- Mauritius (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Oman (native)
- Palestine (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Saudi Arabia (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- Sinai (native)
- Spain (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Tunisia (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Argentina Northeast (introduced)
- Belgium (introduced)
- Bolivia (introduced)
- California (introduced)
- Cape Provinces (introduced)
- Chile Central (introduced)
- Germany (introduced)
- Mexico Central (introduced)
- Mexico Gulf (introduced)
- Mexico Northeast (introduced)
- Mexico Southwest (introduced)
- Netherlands (introduced)
- New Mexico (introduced)
- New South Wales (introduced)
- New Zealand South (introduced)
- Tasmania (introduced)
- Texas (introduced)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Flower
Taken Oct 17, 2017 by Javier Hormigos (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 8, 2017 by Stéphane Mars (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 30, 2019 by Jorge Alegre (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 1, 2018 by leonorbr (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 23, 2017 by nicolas daudé (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Mar 25, 2021 by Müller Ute (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 5, 2020 by Kevin Findlater (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 27, 2021 by Santoyo Javier (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 3, 2021 by Prieta Javier (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 28, 2021 by Antoine Cornet (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Dec 4, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 19, 2021 by Marc Fily (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 25, 2018 by Lancelot Brillaud (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 12, 2022 by Rafael Rodriguez Navas (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 3, 2021 by Prieta Javier (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jan 15, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 20, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 6, 2022 by Marianne De Wilde (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 24, 2020 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 1, 2019 by Fernández Luis Alfonso (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Apr 4, 2022 by francois tissot (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 20, 2022 by Helena Del Pozo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 25, 2022 by JeanMichel Crussefond (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 14, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Ere BU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 24, 2020 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Apr 4, 2022 by francois tissot (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 12, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 12, 2021 by Thierry Mol (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 5, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Errol VELA (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 5, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Errol VELA (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2778437)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:531496-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Asphodelus fistulosus L.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.5
Ph minimum: 7.0
Light: 8
Atmospheric humidity: 5
Bloom months: [‘apr’, ‘may’]
Soil nutriments: 7