Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
false asphodel

false asphodel

9.9
A plant that has long thin leaves at the base and small white flowers on a stem
  • noun
  • /fɔls æsˈfɒdɛl/
translation icon : asfódelo falso
  • We found a patch of false asphodel growing near the edge of the marsh.

Examples

  • Unlike true asphodel, false asphodel thrives in wetter, boggy soils.

  • The false asphodel blooms in early spring.

  • The delicate white flowers of the false asphodel appeared in early summer.

  • Have you seen a false asphodel before?

  • The delicate white flowers of the false asphodel appeared in early summer.

  • Unlike true asphodel, false asphodel thrives in wetter, boggy soils.

  • We found a patch of false asphodel growing near the edge of the marsh.

Synonyms

Tofieldia pusilla
vsfalse asphodel
  • Specialized
9.9

A small mountain plant with spikes of white flowers

is the common name rather than the specific scientific label

Surface Forms

false asphodel singular
false asphodels plural

Morphology

false + asphodel

The phrase is compositionally transparent: 'false' = not genuine/imitative and 'asphodel' = a plant, so 'false asphodel' naturally reads as a plant resembling but not a true asphodel. This follows a common, productive naming pattern (e.g. 'false nettle', 'false morel') that a B1 learner who knows both words can readily infer.

Etymology

False asphodel: The name false asphodel comes from a simple idea — the plant looks like the true asphodel but is different. The word false shows it is 'not the same' as the true asphodel, so the name helps people tell the plants apart today.