Seasonal Wild Flowers

Bog Asphodel

Narthecium ossifragum

Nartheciaceae

July to August

It occurs mainly in the Northwest, Southwest and parts of the

Northeast and South.

See the BSBI distribution map for Bog Asphodel

Bog Asphodel grows in the open, on acid, wet - with moving water,

peat, mires, flushes and moors.

It is a native, rhizomatous perennial herb, growing up to 45cm.

Flower heads are up to 10cm.

Flowers are bright yellow with an orange tinge.

The 6 stamens are striking, with wooly yellow filaments and

long orange anthers.

The ovary is 6 lobed with a simple style and stigma.

Fruits are egg-shaped.

Stem leaves are short and basal leaves are grass-like.

Bog Asphodel on acid mire, Clougha, Lancs

Flower spikes and leaves

Flower spike

Flower - ovary and 6 stamens

Stamens - wooly filaments and orange anthers

Egg-shaped fruits, remains of style/stigma

Fruiting stems