Asphodelus

Asphodelus is a genus of mainly perennial flowering plants in the asphodel family Asphodelaceae that was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. The genus was formerly included in the lily family. The genus is native to temperate Europe, the Mediterranean, Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent, and some species have been introduced to, and are now naturalized in, other places such as New Zealand, Australia, Mexico and southwestern United States. Many asphodels are popular garden plants, which grow in well-drained soils with abundant natural light.

Character

The plants are hardy herbaceous perennials with narrow tufted radical leaves and an elongated stem bearing a handsome spike of white or yellow flowers. Asphodelus albus and A. fistulosus have white flowers and grow from high; A. ramosus is a larger plant, the large white flowers of which have a reddish-brown line in the middle of each segment.

Etymology

The genus name is derived from the Greek ἀσφόδελος asphodelos.

Species

There are 16 species in the genus.
; SpeciesAsphodelus acaulis Desf. – Branched asphodel – Algeria, Morocco, TunisiaAsphodelus aestivus Brot. – Summer asphodel, also known as Common asphodel and Silver rod – Western Mediterranean Asphodelus albus Mill. – White asphodel, also known as Rimmed lichen – MediterraneanAsphodelus ayardii Jahand. & Maire – France, Spain, Italy, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Canary IslandsAsphodelus bakeri Breistr. – Western Himalayas of northern India, northern Pakistan, etc.Asphodelus bento-rainhae P.Silva – Spain, PortugalAsphodelus cerasiferus J.Gay – France, Spain, Sardinia, Algeria, Morocco, TunisiaAsphodelus fistulosus L. – Onion-leaved asphodel, also known as Onionweed – Mediterranean Asphodelus gracilis Braun-Blanq. & Maire – MoroccoAsphodelus lusitanicus Cout. – Spain, PortugalAsphodelus macrocarpus Parl. – MediterraneanAsphodelus ramosus L. – Branched asphodel – southern Europe, northern Africa, the Middle East and Canary IslandsAsphodelus refractus Boiss. – North Africa and Arabian Peninsula from Mauritania & Morocco to Saudi ArabiaAsphodelus roseus Humbert & Maire – Spain, MoroccoAsphodelus serotinus Wolley-Dod – Spain, PortugalAsphodelus tenuifolius Cav. – Southeast Europe and northern Africa from the Mediterranean south to Mali, Chad, Sudan, Somalia; south-central Asia from Caucasus to IndiaAsphodelus viscidulus Boiss. – North Africa, Middle East, Arabian Peninsula
; Formerly includedAsphodelus luteus L. – synonym of ''Asphodeline lutea''

Uses

The leaves are used to wrap burrata, an Italian cheese. The leaves and the cheese last about the same time, three or four days, and thus fresh leaves are a sign of a fresh cheese, while dried out leaves indicate that the cheese is past its prime.

Mythology

In Greek legend the asphodel is one of the most famous of the plants connected with the dead and the underworld. Homer describes it as covering the great meadow, the haunt of the dead. It was planted on graves, and is often connected with Persephone, who appears crowned with a garland of asphodels. Its general connection with death is due no doubt to the greyish colour of its leaves and its yellowish flowers, which suggest the gloom of the underworld and the pallor of death. The roots were eaten by the poorer Greeks; hence such food was thought good enough for the shades. The asphodel was also supposed to be a remedy for venomous snake-bites and a specific against sorcery; it was fatal to mice, but preserved pigs from disease. The Libyan nomads made their huts of asphodel stalks.

Poetry

The asphodel is mentioned by several poets in connection with the mythology of death, and by association, the afterlife - specifically the Isles of the Blessed and Elysium - part of the ancient Greek concept of the afterlife.