Asphodelus aestivus Brot., 1804

General Information Biotope types Photos Other

Vernacular name:

Summer asphodel, common asphodel, silver rod

Kind:

Plantae

EUNIS Code	Biotope Type Name	Source
E2.43	Andalusian [Armeria] vallicares	Devillers, P., Devillers-Terschuren, J. and Vander Linden, C.
G1.791	Hellenic valonia oak woods	Devillers, P., Devillers-Terschuren, J. and Vander Linden, C.
E1.C1	[Asphodelus] fields	Devillers, P., Devillers-Terschuren, J. and Vander Linden, C.
E1.332	Helleno-Balkanic short grass and therophyte communities	Devillers, P., Devillers-Terschuren, J. and Vander Linden, C.
G1.7C11	Mesomediterranean Gallo-Italic hop-hornbeam woods	Devillers, P., Devillers-Terschuren, J. and Vander Linden, C.

Mythology

In Greek legend the asphodel is the 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.