What is "ferula"

Sagapenum \Sag`a*pe"num\, n. [L. sagapenon, sacopenium, Gr. ?: cf. F. sagapin, gomme sagapin, sagap['e]num, Ar. sikb[=i]naj, Per. sakb[=i]nah, sikb[=i]nah.] (Med.) A fetid gum resin obtained from a species of Ferula. It has been used in hysteria, etc., but is now seldom met with.
--U. S. Disp.

Ferula \Fer"u*la\, n. [L. ferula giant fennel (its stalks were used in punishing schoolboys), rod, whip, fr. ferire to strike; akin to OHG. berjan, Icel. berja. Cf. Ferule.]

1. A ferule. [Obs.]
   --Beau. & Fl.

2. The imperial scepter in the Byzantine or Eastern Empire.

n. 1 (context obsolete English) A ferule. 2 (context obsolete English) The imperial sceptre in the Byzantine Empire.

Ferula (from Latin ferula, "rod") is a genus of about 170 species of flowering plants in the carrot family, native to the Mediterranean region east to central Asia, mostly growing in arid climates. They are herbaceous perennial plants growing to 1–4 m tall, with stout, hollow, somewhat succulent stems. The leaves are tripinnate or even more finely divided, with a stout basal sheath clasping the stem. The flowers are usually yellow, rarely white, produced in large umbels. Many plants of this genus, especially F. communis are referred to as "giant fennel," although they are not fennel in the strict sense.

Ferula may refer to:

• Ferula, a genus of flowering plants
• Papal ferula