ASPHODEL, OR KING'S SPEAR; a genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the hexandra class of plants.

Species. Of this genus botanical writers enumerate five species. 1. The luteus, or common yellow asphodel, hath roots composed of many thick fleshy fibres, which are yellow, and joined into a head at the top; from whence arise strong round single stalks near three feet high, garnished on the upper part with yellow star-shaped flowers, which appear in June, and the seeds ripen in autumn. 2. The ramulosus, or branching asphodel, hath roots composed of fleshy fibres, to each of which is fastened an oblong bulb as large as a small potato; the leaves are long and flexible, having sharp edges; between these come out the flower-stalks, which arise more than three feet high, sending forth many lateral branches. The upper parts of these are adorned with many white star-shaped flowers, which grow in long spikes flowering gradually upward. They come out in the beginning of June, and the seeds ripen in autumn. 3. The ramulosus, or unbranched asphodel, hath roots like the second, but the leaves are longer and narrower; the stalks are single, never putting out any side-branches. The flowers appear at the same time with the former, are of a purer white, and grow in longer spikes. 4. The albus, with keel-shaped leaves, hath roots composed of smaller fibres than the two last, nor are the knobs at bottom half so large; the leaves are long, almost triangular, and hollow like Asphurelata like the keel of a boat; the stalks seldom rise above two feet high, and divide into several spreading branches; these are terminated by loose spikes of white flowers smaller than those of the former. 5. The flufus, or annual branching spiderwort, hath roots composed of many yellow fleshy fibres: the leaves are spread out from the crown of the root, close to the ground, in a large cluster; these are convex on their under side, but plain above. The flower-stalks rise immediately from the root, and grow about two feet high, dividing into three or four branches upward, which are adorned with white starry flowers, with purple lines on the outside. These flower in July and August, and their seeds ripen in October.

Culture. The way to increase these plants is by parting their roots in August, before they shoot up their fresh green leaves. They may also be raised from seeds sown in August; and the August following the plants produced from these may be transplanted into beds, and will produce flowers the second year. They must not be planted in small borders, among tender flowers; for they will draw away all the nourishment, and starve every thing else.