Asphodelus is a genus of mainly perennial flowering plants in the asphodel family Asphodelaceae[2] that was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753.

[1][5] Many asphodels are popular garden plants, which grow in well-drained soils with abundant natural light.

The plants are hardy herbaceous perennials with narrow tufted radical leaves and an elongated stem bearing a handsome spike of white or yellow flowers.

Homer describes it as covering the great meadow (ἀσφόδελος λειμών), the haunt of the dead.

[citation needed] 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.