Asphodelus ramosus ?/fistulosus

The precise identification of this asphodel remains uncertain; the plant most likely corresponds to Asphodelus ramosus (branched asphodel), though Asphodelus fistulosus cannot be excluded — two related Mediterranean species sometimes confused. Asphodelus ramosus is a tuberous-rooted geophyte of the Asphodelaceae, native to the Mediterranean basin, southern Europe, North Africa and the Near East, colonising grazed and burned ground. It forms one or more rosettes of strap-shaped leaves up to 40 cm, topped by branched stems up to 1.5 m. Between February and May it bears numerous star-shaped white flowers with a reddish-brown midrib. Tolerates poor soils, needs sun, withstands drought.