Asphodelus albus Miller, 1768

General Information Biotope types Photos Other

Vernacular name:

White asphodel

Kind:

Plantae

EUNIS Code	Biotope Type Name	Source
E1.C1	[Asphodelus] fields	Devillers, P., Devillers-Terschuren, J. and Vander Linden, C.
F7.482	Moesian [Astragalus angustifolius] hedgehog-heaths	Devillers, P., Devillers-Terschuren, J. and Vander Linden, C.
E4.331	Thermo-Alpigenous [Festuca paniculata] swards	Devillers, P., Devillers-Terschuren, J. and Vander Linden, C.
E4.413	Southern rusty sedge grasslands	Devillers, P., Devillers-Terschuren, J. and Vander Linden, C.

Mythology

The asphodel was the flower said to fill the plains of Hades, the Greek underworld. As it was considered the favourite food of the dead, the Ancient Greeks would often plant it near graves. The asphodel was sacred to Persephone, the daughter of Demeter, who was forcefully taken to the underworld by Hades.