Common Name: King's Spear

General Information

Asphodeline lutea is a herbaceous perennial plant producing clusters of grass-like leaves up to 30cm tall from a tuberous rootstock. One or more flowering stems up to 150cm tall arise in the spring[].
The plant is an excellent ornamental and also an excellent food. The root especially was highly valued by the ancient Greeks, whilst we especially like the flowers. The stems with mature fruits are valued for dried flower arrangements[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Mediterranean in Algeria and Tunisia, Italy to Greece, Turkey and the Levant, east to the Caucasus

Habitat

Dry grassland[], rocky and stony places[], usually on limestone[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants are hardy to about -15°c[].
An easily grown plant, it succeeds in ordinary garden soil[, ], tolerating partial shade[]. Requires a well-drained soil[, ], doing well in sandy soils[]. Prefers a deep rich soil[]. Prefers a soil that is not too rich and a warm sunny position[].
A very ornamental plant[], though it looks very untidy in late summer when it dies down after flowering[]. It seems to be very wind resistant, tolerating maritime exposure on an exposed site in Cornwall[].
The flowers are sweetly scented[].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[].

Edible Uses

Root - roasted. This food was highly valued by the ancient Greeks, who roasted the roots like potatoes and ate them with salt and oil or mashed them with figs[, ]. The roots are not very thick but are abundantly produced and have a nice nutty flavour[]. They can be harvested at any time of the year, but are best used when the plant is dormant in late summer and early autumn[]. They do not store well and should be used within a few weeks of harvest[].

Young shoots - cooked[]. They smell less than pleasant whilst cooking but have a fairly bland flavour[]. Some people find that they have a very pleasant flavour[]. The plant comes into growth in late summer and the autumn, the young shoots can be harvested in moderation all through the winter[].

Flowers - raw. A delightful sweetness, they are a very decorative and tasty addition to the salad bowl but should be used as soon as possible after harvesting because they soon start to decompose[]. The flowers are very short-lived and are best picked in the late afternoon - thus you can enjoy them visually during the day and gastronomically in the evening[]. There is also said to be a double-flowered form[], which will have twice the quantity of petals, though we do not know its name[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow early to mid spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place in 1 - 3 months at 15°c[]. Once the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring.
Division in spring or autumn, with care since the roots are easily damaged[]. Ensure each division has at least one growing bud[]. Large divisions can be planted out straight into their permanent positions, smaller ones are best potted up until they are growing away strongly and can then be panted out. We have found that this plant can be successfully divided throughout the growing season so long as it is watered in dry weather[].