onionweed
(Asphodelus fistulosus Linnaeus)

This species is Introduced in the United States

States Counties Points List Species Info

Appearance

Asphodelus fistulosus is an annual or short-lived perennial that is dark green in color and can grow 12-30 in. (30.5-76.2 cm) tall and 15 in. (38.1 cm) wide.

Foliage

The leaves are smooth, cylindrical, and hollow and emerge from the base of the plant. It also produces stiff flower stems up to 2.5 ft. (0.46 m) tall.

Flowers

Flowers are 0.75 in. (1.9 cm) across with 6 petals each white to pink with a brown or reddish stripe along the center and alternating along the branches.

Fruit

Fruit is spherical in shape and divided into three segments. Seeds are triangular and dark brown or black, 0.13 in. (0.32 cm) long, and wrinkled with 3 or 6 per fruit.

Ecological Threat

Asphodelus fistulosus can be found in roadsides, pastures, disturbed areas, grasslands, and suburban settings. It is drought-resistant and prefers sandy or gravelly soils. It is native to the Mediterranean region and from western Asia to northern India.

Citations

Winston, R.L., Andreas, J.E., Milan, J., DesCamp, W., Randell, C.B., and M. Schwarzlander. 2014. New Invaders of the Southwest. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. FHTET-2014-12. Retrieved from https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/files/14767.pdf
 

Selected Images


Maps


EDDMapS Distribution

EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org

State Regulated List

State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.

Taxonomic Rank

Domain: Eukarya
Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Superorder: Lilianae Takhtajan
Order: Liliales
Family: Liliaceae
Genus: Asphodelus
Asphodelus fistulosus Linnaeus