King's Spear
Asphodeline lutea
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Pl. CD6D — Asphodeline lutea
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IOverview
Overview
King's Spear (Asphodeline lutea) is a perennial plant native to the Mediterranean region, thriving in areas from Albania and Bulgaria to Turkey and Yugoslavia. It prefers full sun to partial shade and can tolerate both dry and moist conditions, making it adaptable to various soil types including light sandy, medium, and heavy clay soils. Known for its edible parts—flowers, leaves, roots, and shoots—it has been utilized by local communities. This plant reaches a height of 1 meter and is hardy in zones 6-9, contributing to its ornamental value as well. Its distinctive yellow flowers add a vibrant touch to gardens and landscapes.
Quick answers
What is King's Spear?
King's Spear (Asphodeline lutea) is a perennial plant native to the Mediterranean region, thriving in areas from Albania and Bulgaria to Turkey and Yugoslavia.
What is King's Spear used for?
Traditionally used for immune support. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 1 evidence-ranked use of King's Spear
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources- King's Spear has been traditionally used in Mediterranean herbalism to support immune health, often prepared as a decoction. Its use is based on the plant’s reputation for enhancing bodily defenses against seasonal ailments.
The mechanism by which King's Spear supports immunity is not fully characterised but may involve compounds that stimulate immune cell activity or have antimicrobial properties.
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Digestive Harmony
digestiontincture
Traditional use for digestive support.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
King's Spear thrives in full to partial sun and prefers well-drained soil that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is drought-tolerant but benefits from moist conditions during the growing season. This perennial plant is hardy in zones 6-9 and reaches a height of about 1 meter. Propagate through division or seed sowing. The edible parts include flowers, leaves, roots, and shoots, making it a versatile addition to both culinary and ornamental gardens.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Dry, Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
6-9
Life cycle
Perennial
Mature size
1.0 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow King's Spear for the first time
8steps
Start with King's Spear as a simple, low-maintenance perennial for your garden.
- 1
What you'll need
A small Asphodeline lutea plant or seeds, suitable soil, and a container if planting in pots.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost or in fall before the first freeze.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use well-draining soil with a mix of light (sandy), medium, or heavy clay. Ensure containers have drainage holes.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Transplant young plants or sow seeds directly into the garden bed at a depth of about 1 cm.
- 5
First two weeks
Water sparingly to avoid waterlogging, but ensure the soil is not completely dry.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide full sun to partial shade and keep the soil moderately moist. Fertilize lightly once a year.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune dead leaves and spent flowers to maintain plant health, but avoid cutting back too much.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in heavy shade, and not providing enough drainage are common issues.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:FlowersLeavesRootShoots
Edible uses: The King's Spear (Asphodeline lutea) is edible and can be consumed in various forms. The flowers, leaves, roots, and shoots are all usable. Typically, the plant is prepared by boiling or steaming to make it tender. Roots can also be dried for later use. Leaves and shoots may be eaten raw in salads or cooked as a vegetable.
Other uses:Fragrance
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
19 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
19 native · 0 introducedDistribution across3 continents· 19 native
Europe8 regions
native (8)AlbaniaBulgariaCyprusGreeceItalyRomaniaRussiaUkraine
Asia2 regions
native (2)PalestineTurkey
Africa2 regions
native (2)AlgeriaTunisia
Broader regions
native:East Aegean Is., Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Transcaucasus, Turkey-in-Europe, Yugoslavia
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
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