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Asphodel (also known as Royal Staff[1]) is a member of the lily family and has long and slender leaves. It is found worldwide and has both magical and non-magical uses. [1] Powdered root of Asphodel is used in the creation of various potions, such as the Draught of Living Death[2], and the Wiggenweld Potion. [3]

Behind the scenes

  • Asphodel (Asphodelus ramosus) is native to Europe. The ancient Greeks associated it with the death and the underworld, believing there was a meadow of asphodel in Elysian Fields[4], and considered it sacred to Persephone, goddess of the spring and queen of the underworld. Asphodel was once believed to be a favourite food of the dead, and so was commonly planted near graves. [5]
  • In Victorian Flower Language Asphodel was a type of lily meaning 'My regrets follow you to the grave' and Wormwood means 'absence' and typically symbolized bitter sorrow. If you combine that, it means 'I bitterly regret Lily's death'. This could be a subtle foreshadow, as this is one of the questions Snape asked Harry in the first book, voicing his regret.

Appearances

Notes and references

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