spikenard

spikenard - n., a Himalayan plant (Nardostachys grandiflora) of the valerian family; an aromatic oil extracted from the roots of same (also called nard).


Another Biblical plant. Purple flowers that grow in the botanical sense of spikes -- like ears of grain. Pronounced, contrary to what I thought, with two syllables: spike-nard. From Medieval Latin spīca nardī, spike of nard, a translation of Greek nardou stakhys, the nard portion probably ultimately from Sanskrit nalada, the name of the plant.

---L.