opopanax

 
Pronunciation: /ə(ʊ)ˈpɒpənaks/
(also opoponax)

noun

  • 1an acacia tree with violet-scented flowers that yield an essential oil used in perfumery, native to warm regions of America and cultivated elsewhere.
    • Acacia farnesiana, family Leguminosae
  • 2a yellow-flowered Mediterranean plant of the parsley family.
    • Opopanax chironium, family Umbelliferae
  • (also gum opopanax) [mass noun] a fetid gum resin obtained from the roots of the Mediterranean opopanax, used in perfumery.
  • 3 [mass noun] a fragrant gum resin which is used in perfumery.
    • This resin is obtained from the tree Commiphora kataf, family Burseraceae

Origin:

late Middle English: via Latin from Greek, from opos 'juice' + panax 'all-healing'; compare with panacea