Aphyllanthes monspeliensis

Family: Asparagaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows 30 cm tall. It almost has no leaves but has brown scales at the base of the stems. The stems grow in clumps from masses of fibrous roots. The flowers are blue to purple.

Also put in the family Aphyllanthaceae. There is only one Aphyllanthes species.

Where it is found

It is a Mediterranean climate plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Europe, France, Mediterranean, North Africa, Spain

How it is used for food

The flowers are sucked for the nectar. The tender stems are eaten raw as a snack.

Edible parts

Flowers - nectar, stems

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Chunquetas, Junquillo

Synonyms

Aphyllanthes cantabrica Bubani; Aphyllanthes juncea Salisb.;