elecampane

ELECAMPA'NE, n. [L. helenium, from Gr. which signifies this plant and a feast in honor of Helen. Pliny informs us that this plant was so called because it was said to have sprung from the tears of Helen. The past part of the word is from the Latin campana; inula campana.]

A genus of plants, the Inula, of many species. The common elecampane has a perennial, thick, branching root, of a strong odor, and is used in medicine. It is sometimes called yellow star-wort. The Germans are said to candy the root, like ginger, calling it German spice.