The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Asphodel \As"pho*del\, n. [L. asphodelus, Gr. ?. See
   Daffodil.] (Bot.)
   A general name for a plant of the genus Asphodelus. The
   asphodels are hardy perennial plants, several species of
   which are cultivated for the beauty of their flowers.
   [1913 Webster]

   Note: The name is also popularly given to species of other
         genera. The asphodel of the early English and French
         poets was the daffodil. The asphodel of the Greek poets
         is supposed to be the Narcissus poeticus. --Dr.
         Prior.
         [1913 Webster]

               Pansies, and violets, and asphodel. --Milton.
         [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

asphodel
    n 1: any of various chiefly Mediterranean plants of the genera
         Asphodeline and Asphodelus having linear leaves and racemes
         of white or pink or yellow flowers