Σπουρτούλλα, Ασφόδελος ο κλαδωτός
Etymology of Asphodelus ramosus: "Asphodelus" derives from Ancient Greek "ἀσφόδελος" which is of unknown etymology. "Ramosus" is Latin and it means "branchy", referring to its much-branched inflorescence.
There are three Asphodelus species in the wild Cypriot habitat.
Asphodelus ramosus is an extremely common plant in Cyprus, which is encountered all-around Cyprus, at an altitude of up to 1825 metres (which is the highest point in Cyprus). Ramosus is actually the most popular species of the Asphodelus genus in Cyprus. It is a perennial, tuberous plant growing up to 100cm high (sometimes even more). Asphodelus ramosus's flowering time is usually between January and June (depending on the temperature it could delay till February). It appears on abandoned land, open pinewoods, phrygana and roadsides.
How to distinguish Asphodelus ramosus from the other species:
- It is a robust plant, up to one metre or higher. The other two species are slender, generally less than 70 cm high.
- Its leaves are flat, strap-shaped. The other two species have leaves grass-like, fistulose.
- Its roots have fusiform tubers. The other two have roots without tubers.
- Its perianth segments are 4 mm wide. The other two have perianth segments 2-2.5 mm wide.
