PASTINACA OPOPANAX
\pˌastɪnˈakəɹ ˈɒpəpˌanaks], \pˌastɪnˈakəɹ ˈɒpəpˌanaks], \p_ˌa_s_t_ɪ_n_ˈa_k_ə_ɹ ˈɒ_p_ə_p_ˌa_n_a_k_s]\
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The plant, whence the gum resin is obtained, has, also, been called Ferula opoponax seu apoponax, Pastinaca altissima, Laserpitium seu Selinum chironium, Opapanacum, Panax heracleum seu costinum, Pastinacca, Kyna, Hercules-all-heal, Opopanaxwort. Opopanax, Opopanacis gummi-resina, Gezir, Popanax, Gummi Panacis, exudes from the roots when wounded. Its odour is strong and peculiar; taste, bitter and acrid. It is met with in the shops, in lumps of a reddish-yellow colour, without; white within. It has been recommended as an antispasmodic and emmenagogue; but is seldom used.
By Robley Dunglison
Word of the day
Snake's-head
- Guinea-hen flower; -- so called in England because its spotted petals resemble the scales of a snake's head.