Asphodelus

Asphodelus
White asphodel (Asphodelus albus)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
clade:	Angiosperms
clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Xanthorrhoeaceae
Subfamily:	Asphodeloideae
Genus:	Asphodelus L.
Genera
See text.

Asphodelus is a genus of mainly perennial plants native to western, central and southern Europe, but now spread worldwide. Asphodels are popular garden plants, which grow in well-drained soils with abundant natural light. Now placed in the family Xanthorrhoeaceae, subfamily Asphodeloideae,^[1] like many lilioid monocots, the genus was formerly placed in the lily family (Liliaceae).

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 1½ to 2 ft. high; A. ramosus is a larger plant, the large white flowers of which have a reddish-brown line in the middle of each segment.

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.^{[citation needed]}In Sardinia, honey produced from bees who have fed on the plant is highly favored for its delicate taste.^[2] In Puglia, the unopened buds of the plant are collected, blanched in boiling water and preserved in olive-oil. This is used as a condiment.^[2] In some areas of Sardinia, especially Tinnura and Flussio, the stems are used to weave baskets used in bread-making. At one time, these were an indispensable part of the trousseau of a bride-to-be.^[2]

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 (ἀσφόδελος λειμών), 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 poisonous 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.

Etymology

The word is a loanword from Greek. Its original version is "ἀσφόδελος".^[3]

Species

Asphodelus ramosus

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According to the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, as of June 2011^[update], there are 17 species in the genus:^[4]

• Asphodelus acaulis Desf. - Branched asphodel
• Asphodelus aestivus Brot. - Summer asphodel, also known as Common asphodel and Silver rod
• Asphodelus albus Mill. - White asphodel, also known as Rimmed lichen
• Asphodelus ayardii Jahand. & Maire
• Asphodelus bakeri Breistr.
• Asphodelus bento-rainhae P.Silva
• Asphodelus cerasiferus J.Gay
• Asphodelus fistulosus L. - Onion-leaved asphodel, also known as Onionweed
• Asphodelus gracilis Braun-Blanq. & Maire
• Asphodelus lusitanicus Cout.
• Asphodelus luteus L. – synonym of Asphodeline lutea
• Asphodelus macrocarpus Parl.
• Asphodelus ramosus L. - Branched asphodel
• Asphodelus refractus Boiss.
• Asphodelus roseus Humbert & Maire
• Asphodelus serotinus Wolley-Dod
• Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav.
• Asphodelus viscidulus Boiss.

Notes

References

•  Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Asphodel". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.