In Autumn fields
by Sarah Das Gupta
pale ghosts of myth
search lost memories
| Botanical name: | Asphodelus |
| Popular names: | Onion Weed, King’s Spear |
| Family: | Asphodelaceae |
| Origin: | Mediterranean, North Africa, Middle East, Indian-sub continent |
| Flower: | Tall spike – white, yellow, pink |
| Habitat: | Well-drained soil, abundance of light |
Until 1753, Asphodel was classified as part of the lily family. Carl Linneas then reclassified the plant. It is a herbaceous plant with a tall white or yellow spike.
The Ancient Greeks associated asphodel with death and the underworld. The poet, Homer, describes the Fields of Asphodel as ‘covering the great meadow and the haunt of the dead.’ To the Greeks the underworld included: Elysium, Tartarus and The Fields of Asphodel. The last was the abode of the average person who had done nothing good nor wicked. Asphodel may have become associated with death as having ‘strange, pallid, ghostly flowers.’ It was commonly found on graves and is particularly associated with Persephone who was abducted by Hades, ruler of the underworld. She is sometimes portrayed as wearing a crown of asphodel.
Many diverse writers from Homer and Milton to Faulkner and Poe have used the symbolism associated with the plant. Although it is suggested they may well have been referring to the Narcissus rather than the asphodel. Like many plants, asphodel is reputed to have healing qualities – dealing with snakebites or used against sorcery. It even plays a part in Harry Potter.
Its leaves are used to wrap Burrata cheese. Both the leaves and the cheese are at their best for four days. So don’t buy the cheese if the leaves are withered!
Further reading:
‘An Empire of Plants: people and plants that changed the world’, Toby Musgrave & Will Musgrave, 2000, Cassell, ISBN 13 9781844030200.
‘Amaranth and Asphodel, poems from the Greek anthology’, Alfred J Butler, 1922, Oxford: B. Blackwell, ISBN 13 9781013710728
Author bio:
Sarah Das Gupta is a young 81 year old. Loves writing haiku and most forms of poetry. Is learning to walk after an accident. Main outside interests include equine sports. Lives near Cambridge, UK. Read other sciku by Sarah here.