This website makes extensive use of JavaScript. For a richer experience please enable JavaScript in your browser.

High contrast version - your agreement to receive cookies is required

To view a high contrast version of our website we will need to give your computer two cookies. These are functional cookies - they do not collect any of your personal data, but simply remember that you agree to receiving the colour scheme cookies and that you want this website to have a high contrast colour scheme.

If you would like to turn on the high contrast function and receive the cookies, click on the 'accept' button. You will be able to delete the cookies at any time from your machine. If you do not want these cookies or no longer want the site to appear in high contrast colours, click the 'cancel' button. If you do not accept the cookie this function will not work.

We are asking your permission to place these cookies on your machine as part of the European e-Privacy Directive which applies to all sites in the UK. You can find out more about the Directive, the cookies we use on our website and how you can control cookies at www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/privacypolicy.htm#cookies.

Resizing the text size - your agreement to receive cookies is required

To change the size of the text on our website we will need to give your computer two cookies. These are functional cookies. One remembers that you have agreed to receiving the text size cookie while the other one remembers what size of text you have chosen to view the site with. Neither of the cookies collect any of your personal data.

If you would like to change the text size and receive the cookies, click on the 'accept' button. You will be able to delete the cookies at any time from your machine. If you do not want the cookies or no longer want the site to appear with different sized text, click the 'cancel' button. If you do not accept the cookies this function will not work.

We are asking your permission to place these cookies on your machine as part of the European e-Privacy Directive which applies to all sites in the UK. You can find out more about the Directive, the cookies we use on our website and how you can control cookies at www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/privacypolicy.htm#cookies.

Bog asphodel

Taxonomic information

Common Name: Bog Asphodel

Latin Name: Narthecium ossifragum

Family: Liliaceae

Description

Bog asphodel Bog asphodel
wrap

The bog asphodel is a stunning iris-like plant that was formerly used as a substitute source of saffron in Shetland and for producing a hair-dye in Lancashire. In July and August it has six to 12 star-like bright yellow flowers with the stamens consisting of orange-woolly filaments and orange-red anthers. After flowering in September the whole plant becomes tinted with orange.

Bog asphodels are found in bogs and other wet peaty places on wet heaths, moors and mountains. They are said to be common in western and northern Britain within these habitats, but absent from most of central and eastern England.

In the Yorkshire Dales National Park bog asphodels are quite frequent in bogs and acidic flushes on peaty moorland and valley mire habitats. They are most likely to be seen in the central and northern areas of the National Park where they often grow alongside cross-leaved heath and round-leaved sundew.

Like this page? Share it:

Yorkshire Dales National Park

Malham Cove, © Príamo Melo.
Hardraw Force waterfall, © Britainonview / Martin Brent.
Limestone pavement, © Britainonview / Martin Brent.
Twisleton Scars, © Martin Priestley.
Swaledale sheep, © Britainonview.
Hay meadow in Malham, © Rick at Fortybelowzero.

Sorry to interrupt, but what do you think of this website?

You could win a luxury picnic hamper packed to the brim with delicious local produce that you could enjoy in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. All you have to do is fill in our quick survey.

Start linksend