Asphodelus fistulosus

Asphodelus fistulosus_Onionweed_ JM Di Tomaso
Photo: Joseph DiTomaso

Synonyms: Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav.

Common names: onion weed; asphodel; hollow stemmed asphodel; wild onion

Asphodelus fistulosus (onion weed) is an annual/perennial herb (family Liliaceae) found in dry, sandy and rocky places, as well as pastures, roadsides and waste places. Livestock avoid eating it, allowing it to create dense stands that crowd out more desirable forage species in pastures. It is primarily found along coastal regions of Southern California.

Cal-IPC Rating: Moderate — Alert?

CDFA Rating: -*?

Assessment(s)

Plant Assessment Form - Information gathered by Cal-IPC on the impacts, rate of spread, and distribution of invasive plants in California. Does not include management information.

Species ID Card

Invasive Species ID Card - To support field identification of early detection species, Cal-IPC has designed a set of Species ID cards that can be downloaded, printed double-sided, and trimmed to size.

Weed Management Notes

  • Management Notes - Information on management techniques and effectiveness from the University of California Cooperative Extension’s Weed Research & Information Center.

Cal-IPC Newsletter Articles

There are no newsletter articles associated with this species yet.

Cal-IPC Symposium Presentations

Presentations are linked where available. Where a presentation is not available, find more information by reading the abstract in the Cal-IPC Symposia Archive.

Other Asphodelus fistulosus Information

  • CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.
  • Calflora - Distribution map and records of this species in California.
  • CalWeedMapper - Distribution map of this species in California with ability to determine regional priorities.
  • EDDMapS - Distribution of this species in North America.
  • Jepson Interchange - Information on this plant's taxonomy, biology, and distribution from UC Berkeley's Jepson Herbarium.
  • USDA PLANTS Database - Information on identification and distribution, with links to websites in individual states.
  • Additional photos

    Asphodelus fistulosus_flowers_Ron Vanderhoff_cropped
    Asphodelus fistulosus (onion weed) flowers. Photo: Ron Vanderhoff
    Asphodelus-fistulosus_growth-form_Ron-Vanderhoff_cropped.jpg
    Asphodelus fistulosus (onion weed) growth form. Photo: Ron Vanderhoff
    Asphodelus fistulosus_roots_Ron Vanderhoff_cropped
    Asphodelus fistulosus (onion weed) roots. Photo: Ron Vanderhoff