spikenard

spike·nard   (spīk'närd')    n.   An aromatic perennial herb (Nardostachys jatamansi) of the Himalaya Mountains, having rose-purple flowers. Also called nard. An ointment of antiquity, probably prepared from this aromatic plant. A North American plant (Aralia racemosa) having small greenish flowers, aromatic roots, and bipinnately compound leaves. [Middle English, from Anglo-Norman, from Medieval Latin spīca nardī : Latin spīca, spike, ear + Latin nardī, genitive of nardus, nard.]

Main Entry: spike·nard
Pronunciation: 'spIk-"närd
Function: noun
1 a : a fragrant ointment of the ancients b : an EastIndian 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 rhizome and roots have been used as a diaphoretic and aromatic

Spikenard

(Heb. nerd), a much-valued perfume (Cant. 1:12; 4:13, 14). It was "very precious", i.e., very costly (Mark 14:3; John 12:3,5). It is the root of an Indian plant, the Nardostachys jatamansi, of the family of Valeriance, growing on the Himalaya mountains. It is distinguished by its having many hairy spikes shooting out from one root. It is called by the Arabs sunbul Hindi, "the Indian spike." In the New Testament this word is the rendering of the Greek nardos pistike. The margin of the Revised Version in these passages has "pistic nard," pistic being perhaps a local name. Some take it to mean genuine, and others liquid. The most probable opinion is that the word pistike designates the nard as genuine or faithfully prepared.

spikenard

(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

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