Spike·nard n.
1. Bot. An aromatic plant. In the United States it is the Aralia racemosa, often called spignet, and used as a medicine. The spikenard of the ancients is the Nardostachys Jatamansi, a native of the Himalayan region. From its blackish roots a perfume for the hair is still prepared in India.
2. A fragrant essential oil, as that from the Nardostachys Jatamansi.
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Aralia racemosa
n : unarmed woody rhizomatous perennial plant distinguished from
wild sarsaparilla by more aromatic roots and panicled
umbels; southeastern North America to Mexico [syn: American
spikenard, petty morel, life-of-man]