bog asphodel

plural bog asphodels

1. A yellow-flowered perennial, of species Narthecium ossifragum, found in wet open areas of western Europe, and bearing orange fruits formerly used as a food coloring.

   As he climbed up through the golden gorse he would look for orchids amongst the commoner cotton grass, bog asphodel and butterwort[.]

   1977, K.M. Elizabeth Murray, Caught in the Web of Words, Oxford: Oxford University Press, page 20

2. Related species found elsewhere, such as Narthecium americanum and Narthecium californicum