24 



The species are, 1. A. luteus, Yellow Asphodel, or King's Spear; 

 S. A. ramosus, Branched Greater White Asphodel, or King's Spear r 

 3. A. fistulosus, Hollow or Onion-leaved Minor Asphodel, or King's 

 Spear. 



The roots of the first are composed of many thick, fleshy, yellow 

 tubers, joined into a head at the top; whence arise strong, round, 

 single stalks, near three feet high, covered their whole length with 

 long three-cornered, boat-shaped leaves, of a sea-green colour: the 

 upper part of the stalk is adorned half way with yellow star-shaped 

 flowers, which begin to open at bottom, so that on the same spike 

 there is often a succession of flowers during a full month from the 

 lime of its beginning to flower, which is in June, or towards the end 

 of May. It is a native of Sicily. 



The second species has likewise roots composed of many thick 

 fleshy fibres, to each of which is fastened an oblong tuber, as large 

 as a small potato; the leaves are long and flexible, having acute 

 edges; they grow in irregular clusters from the crown of the root; 

 among these come out the stalks, which rise more than three feet 

 high, sending out several side branches, which are naked; the upper 

 parts of these are adorned with many star-shaped flowers, which are 

 white with a purple line running longitudinally along the outside of 

 each segment. They grow in long spikes, flowering successively 

 from the bottom upwards. They appear the beginning of June, and 

 the seeds ripen in autumn. It is a native of the south of Europe. 



There is a variety, according to Miller, which is unbranched, with 

 white flowers. 



The third species is an annual plant. The roots are composed of 

 many fleshy yellow fibres. The leaves are spread out from the crown 

 of the root, close to the ground, in a large cluster; they are convex 

 on their under side, but flat above, and hollow. The flower-stalks 

 rise immediately from the root, and grow about two feet high, divid- 

 ing upwards into three or four branches, which are adorned witli 

 white starry flowers, having purple lines on the outside: these come 

 out in July and August, and their seeds ripen in October, soon after 

 which the plants decay. It is native of the south of France. 



