silphium
silphium Lexical Profile
silphium Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An unidentified, presumably extinct plant of the giant fennel genus Ferula native to ancient Cyrenaica in North Africa, which was highly prized in Greco-Roman antiquity for its aromatic resin used as a culinary seasoning, perfume, and medicine.
"Ancient coins from Cyrene frequently depicted the prized silphium plant, which formed the backbone of the city's export economy."
Any tall North American perennial flowering plant of the genus Silphium in the daisy family (Asteraceae), such as the compass plant or cup plant, having resinous sap and bearing large, bright yellow, sunflower-like composite flower heads.
The pungent gum resin extracted from the stem and root of the ancient Mediterranean silphium plant, formerly used in classical antiquity as a condiment and medicinal agent.
"Roman recipes compiled by Apicius often called for a pinch of silphium to enhance savory sauces."
Word Nuance & Usage
In botanical and historical contexts, 'silphium' refers both to the extinct Mediterranean fennel prized in Greco-Roman antiquity and to the unrelated North American perennial genus Silphium (rosinweeds).
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Latin silphium, from Ancient Greek silphion, a loanword of pre-Greek or North African origin referring to the prized resinous plant of ancient Cyrene.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.