King's Spear (Asphodeline lutea)

Family: Asphodelaceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late spring, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves, Shoots, Roots/Tubers, Flowers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

nutty flavour. — This food was highly valued by the ancient Greeks, who roasted the roots like potatoes and ate them with salt and oil or mashed them with figs.; The roots are not very thick but are abundantly produced and have a nice nutty flavour.; They can be harvested at any time of the year, but are best used when the plant is dormant in late summer and early autumn.; They do not store well and should be used within a few weeks of harvest.

Habitat & North American Range

Dry grassland, rocky and stony places, usually on limestone. (Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)