Native Plants
Plant Database
Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.
Cressler, Alan
Xerophyllum asphodeloides
Xerophyllum asphodeloides (L.) Nutt.
Eastern Turkeybeard, Turkeybeard
Liliaceae (Lily Family)
Synonym(s): Helonias asphodeloides
USDA Symbol: XEAS
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Small white flowers in a dense, elongated cluster on a stem with short, bristle-like leaves toward top and many long, grass-like leaves in a dense clump at base.
Xerophyllum has only two species, this and Beargrass (X. tenax), a similar plant of western North America. The genus name, from the Greek xeros ("dry") and phyllon ("leaf"), refers to the dry, wiry, basal leaves of this showy plant. It is difficult to cultivate and seldom blooms in gardens.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: WhiteBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: AL , DE , GA , KY , MD , NC , NJ , SC , TN , VA , WVNative Distribution: New Jersey, Maryland, and West Virginia south to Georgia and west to Alabama and Tennessee.
Native Habitat: Dry sandy pinelands and mountain woods in strongly acidic soil.
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Additional resources
USDA: Find Xerophyllum asphodeloides in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Xerophyllum asphodeloides in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Xerophyllum asphodeloides
Metadata
Record Modified: 2015-08-28Research By: TWC Staff