Asphodelus

Throughout southern Europe, North Africa and across through to eastern Asia, the elegant white asphodels can be seen, isolated, or in drifts on dry hillsides. From a cluster of fleshy, moisture-conserving roots they produce a huddle of long narrow leaves above which their flower stems proudly stand. Flowering normally takes place in spring, with each white to pink tepal, having a contrasting central stripe. Leaves are weirdly slimy to the touch, but inedible to sheep!