ASPHODELUS LU'TEUS. 
YELLOW KING’S-SPEAR. 
Class. Order. 
HEXANDRIA. MONOGYNIA. 
Natural Order. 
ASPHOnELEAS. 
Native of 
Height 
Flowers in 
Duration 
Cultivated 
Sicily. 
3 feet. 
May, June. 
Perennial. 
in 1596. 
No. 246. 
It cannot now be ascertained, with certainty, what 
idea the word Asphodelus was originally intended 
to convey. Some assert that it is derived from the 
Greek word spodos, ashes; in consequence of the 
ancients having chosen the plant to decorate their 
graves ; to mark the depository of the ashes of their 
friends. Others derive it from the Greek privative 
A, and sphollo, to supplant; to denote that it can- 
not be supplanted, or surpassed. Luteus, from the 
Latin, yellow. 
The tall handsome flower stem of the Asphodel 
explains, at first sight, its familiar name, King’s- 
spear. The French call this species Baton-de- Jacob, 
or Jacob’s Rod. 
Scarcely a doubt exists respecting the identity of 
the ancient and modern Asphodelus. The ancients 
considered it an edible root, which they roasted, and 
ate with salt and oil; or, according to Hesiodus, 
made a superior dish by beating it up with figs. It 
is also mentioned as having been made into bread. 
It is a handsome border flower, quite hardy, and 
increases freely. It requires no peculiar manage- 
ment. The roots may be divided for increase. 
Hort. Kew. 2, v. 2, 265. 
