Asphodelus fistulosus
Asphodel
(c) Cindy Bell, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asphodelaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Conservation status: Cal-IPC Yes
Asphodelus fistulosus (Asphodel) is a non-native California herb in the Asphodelaceae family, recognized by Only Asphodelus species naturalized in California, distinguished by hollow cylindrical leaves and tuber-like stem bases.
Asphodel is a naturalized perennial herb found in southern San Joaquin Valley, central and southern coastal California, and San Clemente Island in disturbed areas and fields at elevations below 50 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces white flowers with brown-orange midribs 5 to 12 millimeters long in an open inflorescence. Growing with hollow, branched stems 15 to 70 centimeters tall, it forms multiple roots from tuber-like stem bases. Its numerous leaves are cylindric, 10 to 30 centimeters long and approximately 4 millimeters in diameter, with wide, membranous bases. The fruit is nearly spherical and 5 to 7 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only Asphodelus species naturalized in California, distinguished by hollow cylindrical leaves and tuber-like stem bases
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas, fields
Elevation: < 50 m
California counties: San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Riverside, Los Angeles, Ventura, Contra Costa, Orange, Imperial, Kern, Monterey
Outside California: native to southern Europe
Bloom period
Asphodelus fistulosus blooms Mar-Jul.
Conservation status
Cal-IPC Yes
How to tell it apart
vs Eriogonum: Asphodelus has 6-petaled star flowers; Eriogonum has tiny flowers clustered in rounded heads with papery bracts.; vs Chlorogalum: Asphodelus leaves are hollow tubes; Chlorogalum has flat, wavy-edged leaves that aren't hollow.; vs Oenothera: Asphodelus has 6 petals; Oenothera has 4 petals and evening-blooming flowers.; vs Bulbine: Asphodelus has white or pink flowers; Bulbine has bright yellow flowers.; vs Kniphofia: Asphodelus has small white flowers on branched stems; Kniphofia has dense red-orange torch-like spikes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Asphodelus fistulosus native to California?
No. Asphodelus fistulosus is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Asphodelus fistulosus bloom?
Asphodelus fistulosus blooms Mar-Jul.
Where in California does Asphodelus fistulosus grow?
Asphodelus fistulosus occurs in San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Riverside, Los Angeles, Ventura, Contra Costa, Orange and other counties, at elevations of < 50 m.
What plant family does Asphodelus fistulosus belong to?
Asphodelus fistulosus is in the Asphodelaceae family, genus Asphodelus.
Is Asphodelus fistulosus invasive in California?
Asphodelus fistulosus is listed by Cal-IPC with an invasiveness rating of Yes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.