asphodel

From Ancient Greek ἀσφόδελος (asphódelos). Doublet of daffodil.

• IPA^(key): /ˈæsfədɛl/

asphodel (usually uncountable, plural asphodels)

1. Flowering plants of the family Asphodelaceae, especially Asphodelus ramosus and Asphodelus albus; the flowers of these plants.
2. (Greek mythology) The flower said to carpet Hades, and a favorite food of the dead.
   • 1667, John Milton, “Book IX”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], […], OCLC 228722708; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, OCLC 230729554:

     Her hand he seis'd, and to a shadie bank,
     Thick overhead with verdant roof imbowr'd
     He led her nothing loath; Flours were the Couch,
     Pansies, and Violets, and Asphodel,
     And Hyacinth, Earths freshest softest lap.

• bog asphodel

• pholades