Flora canaria > Especies silvestres
Asphodelus fistulosus
Asphodelus fistulosus L.
Familia
ASPHODELACEAE
Gamoncillo, Varita de San José, Gamonilla tiesa, Gamonita
Asphodelus fistulosus, commonly known as gamoncillo or gamonita, is a herbaceous plant belonging to the Asphodelaceae family. It is characterised as a biological indicator of poor, degraded and nutrient-deficient soils.
It is a tufted plant growing up to 70 cm in height. It has a stem and basal leaves that are cylindrical, fleshy and completely hollow (hence its epithet ‘fistulosus’), distinguishing it from other species in its genus which have flat leaves.
The flowers are diurnal and open only in sunlight. They measure between 5 and 12 mm in diameter, have six white or pale pink tepals and display a distinctive reddish-brown central stripe or vein.
The fruit is a rounded or ovoid capsule that releases brown, three-celled seeds in autumn.
Although it may flower sporadically throughout the year depending on local conditions, its main flowering period extends from winter to early spring.
It is native to the Mediterranean region, the Middle East and the Macaronesian region, and is particularly common in archipelagos such as the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands.
Owing to its high resilience, it has been introduced into other regions of the world. In the United States (particularly in arid areas of California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas), it is strictly classified as a federal noxious weed. It also has a wide distribution in Mexico, where it is associated with cultivated areas.
It grows wild along the edges of paths, roads, ditches, embankments, wasteland and abandoned farmland. It prefers dry, warm areas exposed to direct sunlight, as it does not tolerate shade.
Despite its invasive behaviour abroad, in its natural habitat it acts as an excellent nectar-producing plant, attracting large numbers of bees and pollinators due to its production of nectar and pollen.
El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote
Gamoncillo, Varita de San José, Gamonilla tiesa, Gamonita
Asphodelus fistulosus, commonly known as gamoncillo or gamonita, is a herbaceous plant belonging to the Asphodelaceae family. It is characterised as a biological indicator of poor, degraded and nutrient-deficient soils.
It is a tufted plant growing up to 70 cm in height. It has a stem and basal leaves that are cylindrical, fleshy and completely hollow (hence its epithet ‘fistulosus’), distinguishing it from other species in its genus which have flat leaves.
The flowers are diurnal and open only in sunlight. They measure between 5 and 12 mm in diameter, have six white or pale pink tepals and display a distinctive reddish-brown central stripe or vein.
The fruit is a rounded or ovoid capsule that releases brown, three-celled seeds in autumn.
Although it may flower sporadically throughout the year depending on local conditions, its main flowering period extends from winter to early spring.
It is native to the Mediterranean region, the Middle East and the Macaronesian region, and is particularly common in archipelagos such as the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands.
Owing to its high resilience, it has been introduced into other regions of the world. In the United States (particularly in arid areas of California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas), it is strictly classified as a federal noxious weed. It also has a wide distribution in Mexico, where it is associated with cultivated areas.
It grows wild along the edges of paths, roads, ditches, embankments, wasteland and abandoned farmland. It prefers dry, warm areas exposed to direct sunlight, as it does not tolerate shade.
Despite its invasive behaviour abroad, in its natural habitat it acts as an excellent nectar-producing plant, attracting large numbers of bees and pollinators due to its production of nectar and pollen.
El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote
