σίλφιον

English (LSJ)

τό,

   A laserwort, Ferula tingitana, the juice of which was used in food and medicine, Sol.39; ὀπὸς σιλφίον Hp.Acut.23; σ. ἢ ὀπὸς ἢ καυλός ib.37, Gal.12.123, cf. S.Fr.603, Antiph.88, Alex. 127.5, Thphr.HP6.3.1, Nic.Al.309, Dsc.3.80, Poll.6.67; freq. in Ar. as an eatable, esp. mashed with cheese, Av.534, 1579; having a strong flavour, Eq.895sq.: largely grown in and exported from Cyrene, hence prov., τὸ Βάττου σ., of rare and precious commodities, Id.Pl.925, Arist.Fr.528; γαλαῖ ἐν τῷ σ. γινόμεναι in the silphium-region, Hdt.4.192, cf. 169: of other plants, σ. κατὰ Μηδίαν, Ferula Assafoetida, Dsc.l.c.; σ. κατὰ Συρίαν καὶ Ἀρμενίαν, Prangos ferulacea, ibid.; σ. ἐν Καυκάσῳ, Ferula alliacea, Aristobul. ap. Arr.An.3.28.6.