[L., a. Gr. ἀσπάλαθος. Formerly also in Eng. form aspalath.] A genus of African shrubs (N.O. Leguminosæ); the fragrant wood of some of its species.
(What plant is referred to in the earlier quotations is not certainly known. Lyte (p. 346) gives Aspalathum as a L. name of Galangall, and (p. 685) Aspalathus as identified by some with the ‘Acatia of Pontus.’ Johnson gives as his first definition, ‘A plant called the rose of Jerusalem, or our lady’s rose.’)
1601. Holland, Pliny, I. 376. Aspalathus: a white thornie shrub … beareth a floure resembling a rose. The root of it is in request for the making of sweet perfumes.
1611. Bible, Ecclus. xxiv. 15. A sweete smell like cinamon, and aspalathus [Coverdale, balme].
1727–51. Chambers, Cycl., Aspalath, Aspalathum, the wood of a foreign tree … otherwise called lignum Rhodium, or rosewood.
