asphodel Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun any of various chiefly Mediterranean plants of the genera Asphodeline and Asphodelus having linear leaves and racemes of white or pink or yellow flowers

WordNet

As"pho*del noun
Etymology
L. asphodelus, Gr. . See Daffodil.
Definitions
  1. (Bot.) A general name for a plant of the genus Asphodelus. The asphodels are hardy perennial plants, several species of which are cultivated for the beauty of their flowers. ✍ The name is also popularly given to species of other genera. The asphodel of the early English and French poets was the daffodil. The asphodel of the Greek poets is supposed to be the Narcissus poeticus. Dr. Prior.
    Pansies, and violets, and asphodel. Milton.

Webster 1913