Nardostachys

Not to be confused with Valeriana jatamansi.

Nardostachys
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Dipsacales
Family: Caprifoliaceae
Subfamily: Valerianoideae
Genus: Nardostachys
DC. (1830)
Species:
N. jatamansi
Binomial name
Nardostachys jatamansi
(D.Don) DC. (1830)
Synonyms[2]
  • Fedia grandiflora Wall. (1829), nom. nud.
  • Fedia jatamansi Wall. ex DC. (1830), not validly publ.
  • Nardostachys chinensis Batalin (1894)
  • Nardostachys gracilis Kitam. (1954)
  • Nardostachys grandiflora DC. (1830)
  • Nardostachys jatamansi C.B.Clarke (1881), nom. illeg.
  • Patrinia jatamansi D.Don (1825)
  • Valeriana jatamansi D.Don (1821), nom. illeg.
  • Valeriana jatamansi (D.Don) Wall. (1829), nom. illeg.

Nardostachys is a genus of flowering plant in the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae). Nardostachys jatamansi is the sole species in genus.[3]

It is a perennial that grows in the Himalayas, primarily in a belt through Kumaon, Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan at elevations of 3,000–5,000 m (9,800–16,400 ft),[4] and in northern Myanmar and western and central China.[2]

It is a source of a type of intensely aromatic amber-colored essential oil, spikenard. The oil has, since ancient times, been used as a perfume, as a traditional medicine, and in religious ceremonies. It is also called spikenard, nard, nardin, or muskroot. It is considered endangered due to overharvesting for folk medicine, overgrazing, loss of habitats, and forest degradation.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference iucn was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b "Nardostachys jatamansi (D.Don) DC.", Plants of the World Online, retrieved 29 April 2024
  3. ^ "Nardostachys DC". Plants of the World Online. Kew Science. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
  4. ^ Bakhru, H. K. (1993). Herbs that heal : natural remedies for good health (3rd print. ed.). New Delhi u.a.: Orient Paperbacks. p. 117. ISBN 978-8122201338.