σίλφιον

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. HP 6.3.1, 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.