Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
silphium
plant genus, 1771, from Latin, from Greek Silphion, name of a North African Mediterranean plant whose identity has been lost, the gum or juice of which was prized by the ancients as a condiment and a medicine. Probably of African origin.
Examples from the Web for silphium Historical Examples of silphium
Within the mountains, on the high plateau, assafoetida (silphium) was found, and probably some other medicinal herbs.
George Rawlinson
When, in 658, Cyrenaica was incorporated with the Roman Republic, the province paid an annual tribute in silphium.
History of Julius Caesar Vol. 1 of 2
Napoleon III, Emperor of the French, 1808-1873.
The most important object of commerce of the Cyrenaica was the silphium, a plant the root of which sold for its weight in silver.
History of Julius Caesar Vol. 1 of 2
Napoleon III, Emperor of the French, 1808-1873.
The compass plants include, among others, the wild lettuce (Lactuca scariola) and rosin weed (Silphium laciniatum).
Appletons’ Popular Science Monthly, December 1898
Various
The compass-plant, or rosin-weed, as it is commonly called, is the Silphium laciniatum of the botanists.
Henry Inman