silphium

noun

sil·​phi·​um

ˈsilfēəm

1

plural silphia

-ēə

: an extinct umbelliferous plant of the genus Ferula not definitely identifiable as to species but well known to the ancient Greeks and used by them medicinally

2

capitalized [New Latin, from Latin] : a large genus of tall North American perennial herbs (family Compositae) having coarse heads of yellow flowers with fertile rays and broad flat winged achenes see cup plant

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek silphion; of North African origin

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