Asphodelus is a genus of about 20 species in the Asphodelaceae family. They are native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia, but primarily the Mediterranean. Many have a small rhizomatous crown and thick, fleshy roots.
Asphodelus acaulis forms basal rosettes of narrow, succulent leaves and produces peach-pink flowers in early spring on short stems. It is the only low-growing member of the genus and is native to the mountains of Algeria and Morocco. The pictured plants are growing in a bulb frame in Oregon, kept dry in summer. Propagation is by seed or division of the dormant crowns; the older crowns may die after flowering. Photo by Jane McGary
Asphodelus aestivus (syn. A. ramosus, A. microcarpus) is a well-known element of Mediterranean flora, associated with overly-grazed pastures and shallow soils, being fire- and grazing-resistant. Plants are rather showy in bloom and occasionally harvested as cut flowers by day trippers. Because of this it is called the 'common asphodel'. Taxonomy of this species is rather convoluted as evident by the synonyms which are still being used today. First photo shows habitat by Angelo Porcelli. Second to fourth photo by Nhu Nguyen taken at the UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley where they bloom well every April.
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