Silphium

The "miracle" plant Silphium consumed by Ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians, which was thought to have become extinct two thousand years ago, has recently been rediscovered in Turkey by a professor, who thinks he’s found a botanical survivor. The plant,...

Silphium, a now-extinct plant once used by the ancient Greeks and Romans for perfume, seasoning, medicine, and even contraception, was one of the most sought-after goods in the ancient world. The plant was so useful that Julius Caesar himself was...