SINCE 1828
silphium
noun
sil·phi·um
| \ ˈsilfēəm\
Definition of silphium
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
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