Greek asphodelos – one of the asphodels; ancient name for this plant.

Perennial rhizomatous herbs with fleshy roots. Leaves annual in a basal rosette or along stems, sheathing, linear to tapering. Flowers widely opening, more or less bilaterally symmetrical, stalked, stalks articulated. Inflorescence a terminal, erect, many-flowered raceme or panicle. Tepals 3+3, united basally. Stamens 3+3, free. Fruit a dehiscent capsule. Seeds angular, black.

John Conran.

20 species from S Europe to the Caucasus.

The rosette leaves; tall racemes of widely opening more or less bilaterally symmetrical flowers; 3 nerved tepals; unequal stamens.

Source: Conran, J. (2005). Asphodeline. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.