spikenard

spikenard
/spuyk"neuhrd, -nahrd/, n.
1. an aromatic, Indian plant, Nardostachys jatamansi, of the valerian family, believed to be the nard of the ancients.
2. an aromatic substance used by the ancients, supposed to be obtained from this plant.
3. any of various other plants, esp. an American plant, Aralia racemosa, of the ginseng family, having an aromatic root.
[1300-50; ME < ML spica nardi. See SPIKE2, NARD]

* * *

▪ Aralia racemosa
also called  American Spikenard, Petty Morrel, or Life-of-man 

      (Aralia racemosa), North American member of the ginseng family (Araliaceae) of the order Cornales, characterized by large spicy-smelling roots. It grows 3.5 m (11 feet) tall and has leaves divided into three heart-shaped parts. The flowers are grouped into numerous clusters at the end of the central stem.

      The roots of A. nudicaulis, a close relative of spikenard, are used as a substitute for sarsaparilla flavouring. Smilacina racemosa, one of the false Solomon's seals in the family Liliaceae (order Liliales), is sometimes called wild spikenard.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • SPIKENARD — (Nard; Heb. נֵרְד, nerd), spice mentioned three times in the Song of Songs. It grew in the imaginary spice garden to which the loved one is compared (Song 4:12–14) and she perfumed herself with it while waiting for her beloved (1:12). According… …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

  • Spikenard — Spike nard, n.[For spiked nard; cf. G. spieknarde, NL. spica nardi. See {Spike} an ear, and {Nard}.] 1. (Bot.) An aromatic plant. In the United States it is the {Aralia racemosa}, often called {spignet}, and used as a medicine. The spikenard of… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • spikenard — mid 14c., aromatic substance from an Indian plant, from M.L. spica nardi (see SPIKE (Cf. spike) (n.2)), rendering Gk. nardou stakhys; the second element probably ultimately from Skt. nalada , the name of the plant …   Etymology dictionary

  • spikenard — [spīk′närd΄, spīk′nərd] n. [ME < LL(Ec) spica nardi < L spica, an ear of grain (see SPIKE2) + nardus,NARD] 1. a fragrant ointment used in ancient times 2. an Asiatic plant (Nardostachys jatamansi) of the valerian family that yielded this… …   English World dictionary

  • Spikenard — For other uses, see Spikenard (disambiguation). Spikenard Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae …   Wikipedia

  • spikenard — noun Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo French or Medieval Latin; Anglo French spicanarde, from Medieval Latin spica nardi, literally, spike of nard Date: 14th century 1. a. a fragrant ointment of the ancients b. a Himalayan aromatic plant… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • spikenard — spike·nard spīk .närd n 1 a) a fragrant ointment of the ancients b) a Himalayan aromatic plant (Nardostachys jatamansi) from which spikenard is believed to have been derived 2) an American herb of the genus Aralia (A. racemosa) whose dried… …   Medical dictionary

  • spikenard — širdinė aralija statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Aralijinių šeimos daržovinis augalas (Aralia cordata), paplitęs rytų Azijoje. atitikmenys: lot. Aralia cordata angl. Japanese asparagus; spikenard; udo vok. japanische Bergangelika pranc.… …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • spikenard — stambiažiedis nardas statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Valerijoninių šeimos vaistinis augalas (Nardostachys grandiflora), paplitęs rytų ir pietų Azijoje. Iš jo gaunamas eterinis aliejus. atitikmenys: lot. Nardostachys grandiflora;… …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • spikenard — aralija statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Aralijinių (Araliaceae) šeimos augalų gentis (Aralia). atitikmenys: lot. Aralia angl. aralia; spikenard vok. Aralie rus. аралия lenk. aralia …   Dekoratyvinių augalų vardynas

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”