Abstract. Asphodeline lutea (L.) Rchb. (Asphodelaceae) is a perennial, landscaping plant native to southeastern Europe and Turkey. Traditional use of the plant is limited to consumption of roots, shoots, flowers and leaves as vegetables. Recently, several groups of secondary metabolites with promising biological activity were characterized: anthraquinones, flavonoids and benzene/naphthalenes. The extracts from roots of Asphodeline lutea L. were evaluated for their antioxidant and anti-multidrug resistance activity. The presented review summarizes the information concerning the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry and ethnopharmacology of Asphodeline lutea.