Asphodelus is a genus of mainly perennial flowering plants in the asphodel family Asphodelaceae that was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. The genus was formerly included in the lily family (Liliaceae). The genus is native to temperate Europe, the Mediterranean, Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian Subcontinent, and some species have been introduced to, and are now naturalized in, other places such as New Zealand, Australia, Mexico and southwestern United States. Many asphodels are popular garden plants, which grow in well-drained soils with abundant natural light. Character The plants are hardy herbaceous perennials with narrow tufted radical leaves and an elongated stem bearing a handsome spike of white or yellow flowers. Asphodelus albus and A. fistulosus have white flowers and grow from high; A. ramosus is a larger plant, the large white flowers of which have a reddish-brown line in the middle of each segment. Etymology The genus name is derived from the Greek ἀσφόδελος asphodelos. Species There are 16 species in the genus. Species Asphodelus acaulis Desf. – Branched asphodel – Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia Asphodelus aestivus Brot. – Summer asphodel, also known as Common asphodel and Silver rod – Western Mediterranean (mainly Portugal and Spain) Asphodelus albus Mill. – White asphodel, also known as Rimmed lichen – Mediterranean Asphodelus ayardii Jahand. & Maire – France, Spain, Italy, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Canary Islands Asphodelus bakeri Breistr. – Western Himalayas of northern India, northern Pakistan, etc. Asphodelus bento-rainhae P.Silva – Spain, Portugal Asphodelus cerasiferus J.Gay – France, Spain, Sardinia, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia Asphodelus fistulosus L. – Onion-leaved asphodel, also known as Onionweed – Mediterranean (naturalized in New Zealand, Mexico, southwestern United States, etc.) Asphodelus gracilis Braun-Blanq. & Maire – Morocco Asphodelus lusitanicus Cout. – Spain, Portugal Asphodelus macrocarpus Parl. – Mediterranean Asphodelus ramosus L. – Branched asphodel – southern Europe, northern Africa, the Middle East and Canary Islands Asphodelus refractus Boiss. – North Africa and Arabian Peninsula from Mauritania & Morocco to Saudi Arabia Asphodelus roseus Humbert & Maire – Spain, Morocco Asphodelus serotinus Wolley-Dod – Spain, Portugal Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav. – Southeast Europe and northern Africa from the Mediterranean south to Mali, Chad, Sudan, Somalia; south-central Asia from Caucasus to India Asphodelus viscidulus Boiss. – North Africa, Middle East, Arabian Peninsula Formerly included Asphodelus luteus L. – synonym of Asphodeline lutea Uses The leaves are used to wrap burrata, an Italian cheese. The leaves and the cheese