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Xerophyllum asphodeloides (L.) Nutt.
Eastern Turkeybeard
Federal Protection: No US federal protection
State Protection: Rare
Global Rank: G4
State Rank: S1
Element Locations Tracked in Biotics: Yes
SWAP High Priority Species (SGCN): Yes
Element Occurrences (EOs) in Georgia: 15
Habitat Summary for element in Georgia: Xeric oak-pine forests
Perennial herb rising from a bulb that forms at the tip of a stout, tuber-like rhizome and forming clumps of evergreen leaves. The leaves are up to 20 inches (30 - 50 cm) long and about 0.1 inch (2 - 3 mm) wide, grass-like and wiry with tiny saw-teeth on the edges. The flower stalk is 20 - 60 inches (0.5 - 1.5 meters) tall, topped by a densely flowered cluster up to 12 inches (30 cm) long. The flowers are about 0.5 inch (1 - 1.6 cm) across, with 6 white tepals (3 petals + 3 sepals), opening from the bottom of the cluster upward. Fruits are round or oval, 3-lobed capsules, less than 0.22 inch (4 - 5.5 mm) long.
Fly-poison (Amianthium muscitoxicum) has similar flowers and a flowering stalk 12 - 48 inches (0.3 - 1.2 meters) tall, but its leaves are wider, 0.2 - 1 inch (0.5 - 2.8 cm) wide, and are not stiff, wiry, or toothed. It occurs throughout the state in a variety of habitats, including moist to dry forests, pine savannas, sandhills, and streamside flats.
Beargrass (Nolina georgiana) has similar flowers and clumps of evergreen leaves, but its leaves are 3 - 5 mm wide and form a bulb-like structure at the base just below the soil surface. It occurs on sandhills and Altamaha Grit in the Coastal Plain.
None in Georgia.
In the mountains and upper Piedmont, Eastern Turkeybeard occurs in dry, acidic woods with Virginia, Shortleaf, and Table Mountain pines and dry-site oaks; often on ridges and bluffs with Kalmia latifolia and other ericaceous species, and on dry roadsides through these habitats.
In the lower Piedmont, it occurs on steep bluffs with a sparse canopy of montane Longleaf Pine, Shortleaf Pine, and Chestnut Oak with scattered Kalmia latifolia in an otherwise open understory.
Eastern Turkeybeard reproduces sexually as well as vegetatively by sprouting and producing offsets from tuberous rhizomes, thus forming clumps comprising several plants. An individual plant may live for several years before flowering. Contrary to earlier reports, recent research indicates that Eastern Turkeybeard plants, unlike Western Turkeybeard, do not die after flowering and fruiting (monocarpy) but may live and reproduce for decades. Mass flowering of Eastern Turkeybeard is stimulated by fire, which results in increased outcrossing. Flower clusters mature from the bottom of the cluster toward the top, a strategy that promotes cross-pollination.
Research on Western Turkeybeard (Xerophyllum tenax) found that its flowers do not produce nectar and attract only pollen-eating flies, beetles, and small bees (with flies being the most effective pollinators); its flowers require cross-pollination in order to set fruit. Its flower clusters mature from the bottom of the cluster toward the top. Further research is needed on seed dispersal, seed banking, and germination requirements in Eastern Turkeybeard.
Plants are most conspicuous during flowering (late May–June). Non-flowering clumps of plants are also recognizable year-round by the very narrow, wiry, saw-toothed leaves.
Once widespread from Georgia and Alabama north to New Jersey, now rare or endangered throughout its range except in New Jersey and Virginia.
Logging and other mechanical clearing. Conversion of habitat to pine plantations and developments. Fire suppression, canopy closure, and shrub encroachment. Plant poaching.
Xerophyllum asphodeloides is ranked S1 by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, indicating that the species is critically imperiled in Georgia. It is listed as Rare by the State of Georgia. Eleven populations have been documented in Georgia, five on national forest land and state conservation lands.
Apply prescribed fire to reduce needle duff, stimulate mass flowering, eliminate encroaching shrubs, and increase pollinator visits. Avoid mechanical clearing but hand-clearing may be beneficial where fire is not practical. Prevent trampling by hikers and horses. Prosecute plant poachers. Conduct basic life history research.
Bourg, N.A., D.E. Gill, and W.J. McShea. 2015. Fire and canopy removal effects on demography and reproduction in Turkeybeard (Xerophyllum asphodeloides), a fire-dependent temperate forest herb. Journal of Sustainable Forestry 34(1-2): 71-104. https://doi.org/10.1080/10549811.2014.973609
Chafin, L.G. 2007. Field guide to the rare plants of Georgia. State Botanical Garden of Georgia and University of Georgia Press, Athens.
GADNR. 2020. Element occurrence records for Xerophyllum asphodeloides. Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, Social Circle, Georgia.
Hummel, S., S. Foltz-Jordan, S. Polasky. 2012. Natural and cultural history of beargrass (Xerophyllum tenax). U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, General Technical
Report PNW-GTR-864. https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/42172
NatureServe. 2020. Xerophyllum asphodeloides species account. NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia. https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.153738/Xerophyllum_asphodeloides
Patrick, T.S., J.R. Allison, and G.A. Krakow. 1995. Protected plants of Georgia. Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Program, Social Circle.
Radford, A.E., H.E. Ahles, and C.R. Bell. 1968. Manual of the vascular flora of the Carolinas. University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill.
Utech, F.H. 2003. Xerophyllum asphodeloides species account. Flora of North America, Vol. 26. Oxford University Press, New York. http://beta.floranorthamerica.org/Xerophyllum_asphodeloides
Utech, F.H. 1978. Comparison of the vascular floral anatomy of Xerophyllum asphodeloides (L.) Nutt. and X. tenax (Pursh) Nutt. (Liliaceae-Melanthioideae). Annals of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History 47: 147-167.
Vance, N.C., P. Bernhardt, R.M. Edens. 2004. Pollination and seed production in Xerophyllum tenax (Melanthiaceae) in the Cascade Range of central Oregon. American Journal of Botany (91): 2060-2068. https://bsapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.3732/ajb.91.12.2060
Weakley, A.S. 2015. Flora of the southern and mid-Atlantic States. University of North Carolina Herbarium, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. http://www.herbarium.unc.edu/flora.htm
Linda G. Chafin
L.Chafin, Feb. 2009: original account.
D.Weiler, Jan. 2010: added pictures.
L.Chafin, Jun. 2020: updated original account.
