Silphium - Wikipedia Silphium (also known as laserwort or laser; Ancient Greek: σίλφιον, sílphion) is an unidentified plant that was used in classical antiquity as a seasoning, perfume, aphrodisiac, and medicine [1][2]
Silphium, The Ancient Miracle Plant Rediscovered In Turkey As of 2022, a scientist in Turkey claims to have rediscovered the ancient miracle plant Silphium once grew rampant in the Greek city of Cyrene — modern-day Libya — on the northern coast of Africa
What Is Silphium and Why Did This Plant Disappear? Silphium was a plant a member of the Apiaceae family, including parsley, carrots, and fennel Ancient descriptions suggest it resembled a giant fennel, with a thick, hollow stalk and celery-like leaves
The mystery of the lost Roman herb - BBC Future Legend has it that silphium was first discovered after a “black” rain swept across the east coast of Libya over two and a half millennia ago From then onwards, the herb spread its broad roots
Silphium - World History Encyclopedia Silphium (known to the Romans as "laser") was a medicinal, aromatic plant that grew in the region of Cyrene, North Africa It was a popular seasoning, medicine, and contraceptive which was extinct by the time of Pliny the Elder (23-79 CE) due to overgrazing and overharvesting
On the hunt for the mystery herb - Kew Nearly 2000 years ago, the city of Cyrene in Northern Africa (modern day Libya) had one plant to thank for its status as one of the richest cities in the land It was known as silphium, and had almost countless uses The stems were roasted, the roots eaten with vinegar