Stobrum is a tree native to Carmania, with scented wood, which was an object of exchange in ancient days in the Roman Empire. The tree was mentioned by

Pliny the Elder Gaius Plinius Secundus (AD 23/24 79), known in English as Pliny the Elder ( ), was a Roman Empire, Roman author, Natural history, naturalist, and naval and army commander of the early Roman Empire, and a friend of the Roman emperor, emperor Vesp ...

in his ''

Natural History Natural history is a domain of inquiry involving organisms, including animals, fungi, and plants, in their natural environment, leaning more towards observational than experimental methods of study. A person who studies natural history is cal ...

'':

The Arabians import from Carmania also the wood of a tree called ''stobrum'', which they employ in fumigations, by steeping it in palm wine, and then setting fire to it. The odour first ascends to the ceiling, and then descends in volumes to the floor; it is very agreeable, but is apt to cause an oppression of the head, though unattended with pain; it is used for promoting sleep in persons when ill.

Pliny's editors

John Bostock John Joseph Bostock (born 15 January 1992) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for club Solihull Moors. Bostock made his professional debut for Crystal Palace at the age of 15. In 2008, he signed for Tottenham H ...

and

Henry Thomas Riley Henry Thomas Riley (June 1816 – 14 April 1878) was an English translator, lexicographer, and antiquary. Life Born in June 1816, he was only son of Henry Riley of Southwark, an ironmonger. He was educated at Chatham House, Ramsgate, and at Cha ...

note regarding stobrum:

It is not known what wood is meant under this name.
Aloe ''Aloe'' (; also written ''Aloë'') is a genus containing over 650 species of flowering plant, flowering succulent plant, succulent plants.WFO (2022): Aloe L. Published on the Internet;http://www.worldfloraonline.org/taxon/wfo-4000001341. Acc ...
, and some other woods, when ignited are slightly narcotic.(Pliny) John Bostock and H.T. Riley, eds. ''The Natural History'' (London: Geo. Bell) 1892.

(Nevertheless, the plants such as Aloe vera are not otherwise cited as being or having been used by burning the wood.)

Notes

{{reflist Fumigants Trees Economy of ancient Rome Plant common names

See also

Notes