Name - Asphodel
The name "Bog Asphodel" would suggest that this plant is an asphodel, and it was thought long ago that it was a miniature version of one, however this lovely yellowy orange wildflower is actually a member of the Lily family.
Latin or Scientific Name Meaning
The scientific name ossifragum means ‘bone breaker’ and stems from an old belief that after grazing on this plant the bones of sheep became brittle. This belief was mistaken, however, as bog asphodel was not the culprit; it was due to the calcium-deficient vegetation found in the habitats in which the plant grows
Common Names
This flower is also sometimes called, Maiden's hair, Moor-golds, yellow grass
Star Shaped Yellow Golden Flowers
During the months June through to August and September, you will see the lovely star shaped golden yellow flowers The flowers have six petals and have have six long stamens sheathed by short yellow hairs with a prominent orange anther . The petals are very narrow and widely separated. The fruiting stems, a darker orange are easily to be spotted during the autumn months on the peaty moorland .
Uses of the Flower Bog Asphodel
This plant has been used as a substitute for saffron and also as a dye. Ladies in the seventeenth century used is as a as a hair dye
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