Asphodel
the English name of the plants belonging to the genus asphodelus.
The yellow and white species were introduced into this country during the 16th century-the former about the year 1596, and the latter in 1551. The asphodels, being sacred to Proserpine, were used in classic times in funeral ceremonies, and the souls of the departed were supposed by the poets to wander in meadows adorned with these beautiful flowers.
In botany, a genus of plants belonging to the order liliaceæ and the section anthericeæ. About eight species are familiar, the best known being A. luteus, the yellow; A. albus, the white; and A. ramosus, the branched lily, or asphodel, called also king's rod. To this family belong the garlic, the hyacinth, the squill, and the Star of Bethlehem.
ASPHYXIA