Narthecium americanum Ker Gawler. Common name: Yellow Asphodel. Phenology: Jun-Jul; Aug-Sep. Habitat: Wet seepages or savannas. Distribution: S. NJ; DE (where believed extirpated); disjunct in c. SC (where apparently extirpated, though still worth seeking in mucky seepages of the Fall-line Sandhills of SC and NC).
Origin/Endemic status: Endemic
Synonymy ⓘ: = C, F, G, K3, K4, Tat, Schumacher (1947), Weakley & Sorrie (2017c) in Weakley et al (2017); = Abama americana (Ker Gawl.) Morong – S, Small (1924a); < Narthecium americanum Ker Gawl. – AqW, FNA26, GW1, K1, RAB, W, Zomlefer (1997b), (also see N. montanum)
Links to other floras: < Narthecium americanum - FNA26
Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACW
Heliophily ⓘ: 9
Hover over a shape, letter, icon, or arrow on the map for definition or see the legend.





Feedback
See something wrong or missing on about Narthecium americanum? Let us know here: (Please include your name and email if at all complicated so we can clarify if needed.) We greatly appreciate feedback, and will include updates from you in our next webapp update, which can take a few months.
Horticultural Information
Intro: Erect, rhizomatous perennial with extremely restricted distribution in wet seepages and savannas.
Stems: Stem a flowering scape, bearing a few small, linear bracts, that arises from a tuft of grasslike leaves.
Leaves: Leaves mostly in a basal rosette, linear and erect, 4-8 in. long, smooth.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flowers in a crowded raceme occupying the top 2 1/2 in. of the scape; yellow; to 1/3 in. long; consisting of 6 linear-lance-shaped tepals, 6 hairy stamens and a single yellow-green, vase-shaped ovary.
Fruits: Fruit an oval, 3-celled capsule with a narrow beak.
Comments:
Height: to 1 1/2 ft.
plant sale text:
bloom table text:
description: Erect, rhizomatous perennial with extremely restricted distribution in wet seepages and savannas.
stems: Stem a flowering scape, bearing a few small, linear bracts, that arises from a tuft of grasslike leaves.
leaves: Leaves mostly in a basal rosette, linear and erect, 4-8 in. long, smooth.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flowers in a crowded raceme occupying the top 2 1/2 in. of the scape; yellow; to 1/3 in. long; consisting of 6 linear-lance-shaped tepals, 6 hairy stamens and a single yellow-green, vase-shaped ovary.
fruits: Fruit an oval, 3-celled capsule with a narrow beak.
comments:
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range: