ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, VII. xm. 2-4 



has the tallest of all for the antherikos (asphodel- 

 stalk) is very tall : that of iris is smaller, but tougher, 

 though in general it is like the asphodel-stalk. 

 Asphodel also produces much fruit, and its fruit is 

 woody : in shape it is triangular and in colour black ; 

 it is found in the round vessel which is below the 

 flower, and it falls out l in summer when this splits 

 open. It does not produce all its flowers 2 at once ; 

 in which respect it resembles squill, but the flowering 

 begins at the bottom. In the stalk of asphodel forms 

 a grub which changes into another creature like a 

 hornet, and then, when the stem withers, eats its 

 way out and flies away. A peculiarity of the plant 

 as compared with others which have a smooth stem 

 appears to be that, though it is slender, it has 

 outgrowths at the top. It provides many things 

 useful for food : the stalk is edible when fried, the 

 seed when roasted, and above all the root 3 when 

 cut up with figs ; in fact, as Hesiod says, 4 the plant is 

 extremely profitable. 



Now all bulbous plants are tenacious of life, but 

 especially squill ; for this even lives when hung up 

 and continues to do so for a very long time ; it is even 

 able to keep other things that are stored, for instance 

 the pomegranate,' if the stalk of the fruit is set in it ; 

 and some cuttings 5 strike more quickly if set in it ; 

 and it is said that, if planted before the entrance 

 door of a house, it wards off mischief which threatens 

 it. All these bulbs grow in masses, as do onions and 

 garlic ; for they make offsets from the root, and some 



3 cf. 7.9. 4; 9. 9. 6. 



4 Hes. Op. 41. 



5 cf 2. 5. 5; G. P. 5. 6. 10. 



b Sc. witchcraft, veneficiorum noxam Plin. 21. 108. 



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