Asphodelus ramosus

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Asphodelus ramosus, the branched asphodel, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the order Asparagales. Similar in appearance to Asphodelus albus and particularly Asphodelus cerasiferus and Asphodelus aestivus, it may be distinguished by its highly branched stem and smaller fruits.<ref name="luirig.altervista.org">Altervista Flora Italiana, Asphodelus ramosus includes photos plus European distribution map</ref><ref>Lectotypification of Asphodelus ramosus (Asphodelaceae), a Misunderstood Linnaean Name</ref> There has been a lot of confusion over the nomenclature and taxonomy of the species, owing to its similarity to Asphodelus aestivus.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="VPG">Template:Citation</ref>

Asphodelus ramosus is native to the Mediterranean region of southern Europe, northern Africa, and the Middle East. It can also be found in the Canary Islands.<ref>Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families</ref><ref>Dobignard, D. & Chatelain, C. (2010). Index synonymique de la flore d'Afrique du nord 1: 1-455. Éditions des conservatoire et jardin botaniques, Genève.</ref><ref>Davis, P.H. (ed.) (1984). Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands 8: 1-632. Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh.</ref><ref name="EURO_MED_ASP_AEST">Template:Citation</ref><ref name="Plants_World_ASP_AEST">Template:Citation</ref> It is particularly common in coastal areas of the Mediterranean with intensive grazing and occasional fire. In some areas it shows an affinity for acidic soils, mainly schist. It can form abundant colonies, usually flowering in February to May.<ref name="Flora_Israel">Template:Citation</ref><ref name="luirig.altervista.org"/> It has been thought to be Homer's asphodel of the underworld,<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> but so has the closely related Asphodeline lutea. The branched asphodel is known to contain colchicine, a chemical used in the treatment of gout.Template:Citation needed

Physical characteristics

File:Asphodelus ramosus and the View from Tel Gamma, northwestern Negev, Israel (2).JPG

Branched asphodel in the Negev, Israel

Asphodelus ramosus is a geophyte, having an underground storage organ which enables the plant to survive adverse conditions, such as excessive heat and drought. Its leaves, growing to a height of Template:Convert–Template:Convert, contain alkaloids that are harmful to sheep and goats in the wet, winter months, but during the summer when their leaves dry out, they lose their toxicity.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Avi Shmida 2005, p. 77">Avi Shmida, MAPA's Dictionary of Plants and Flowers in Israel, Tel-Aviv 2005, s.v. Asphodelus aestivus auct.=ramosus (p. 77) Template:ISBN (Hebrew)</ref> Its very numerous flowers are white with six tepals bearing a central brown streak. The fruits are small round capsules.<ref>Danin, A. (2004). Distribution Atlas of Plants in the Flora Palaestina area: 1-517. The Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, Jerusalem.</ref>

Uses

Some traditional folk usages of the plant have been to make a glue from the plant's root. A remedy against warts is also derived from its root.<ref name="Avi Shmida 2005, p. 77"/> According to Dioscorides, a concoction made from its roots (mixed with wine) induces vomiting.<ref>Dioscorides, De Materia Medica (Book II, § 199).</ref> Formerly, the entire plant was used in treating venomous snake bites (its efficacy yet to be proven scientifically).