Nature Notes - The Mallorca Pages
Liliaceae
![]() Face-on flower c 3 cm across at widest Asphodelus aestivus = Common Asphodel |
![]() Flower c 2.4 cm across at widest Asphodelus fistulosus = Hollow-leaved Asphodel |
Both asphodels were very common on roadsides, and A aestivus also in fields.
It is a tall plant, often over 1 m high, while A fistulosus is much shorter,
around 25-50 cm, but still a lot taller than our own Bog Asphodel.
![]() Top bit c 35 mm across at widest Muscari comosum = Tassel Hyacinth |
![]() c 22 mm across at top Muscari comosum = Tassel Hyacinth |
![]() Inflorescence c 14 mm across at widest Muscari neglectum = Grape Hyacinth |
Both Muscari species were seen quite frequently on roadsides and
rocky banks. The top flowers are sterile ones, and I think in the case of
M comosum the dark ones below them are unopened buds of either the sterile or
fertile flowers or both. The fertile flowers of M comosum are the brownish
downturned ones, and those of M neglectum are the tightly bunched blue-black
ones with white rims.
![]() Length of picture c 5 cm Asparagus albus |
![]() Height of picture c 2.6 cm Asparagus acutifolius |
![]() Spines are about 3 cm Asparagus stipularis |
Mallorca's three Asparagus species were all common in woods and
scrub, among rocks and by roadsides. The local people collect the young
shoots for eating and were doing this while I was there. A stipularis
flowers in April and the buds can be seen in the picture, but the others flower
in late summer.
Butcher's Broom was found occasionally as part of the woodland
understory. Sarsaparilla was everywhere, a vigorous climber, particularly
in woods, often making the going difficult as it crossed your path at various
heights and angles.
![]() Umbel = 4.1 cm across at widest Allium roseum = Rosy Garlic |
![]() c 2.4 cm from tip of plant to end of lowest flower Allium triquetrum = Three-cornered Garlic |
Mallorca has a large number of Allium species but I only saw these two. Rosy Garlic was seen about 3 times on walls or road verges. Three-cornered Garlic was extremely common on road verges, walls and stream banks.