Local Name: Jatamansi, Bhulte
Common Name: Spikenard, Muskroot, Indian Nard
Scientific Name: Nardostachys jatamansi (D. Don) DC.
Family: Caprifoliaceae

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It is a small, perennial, dwarf, hairy, and rhizomatous herb that grows to a height of 10–60 cm. Its underground thick, stout, woody, and dark brown stem or rhizome, which is about 7 cm long and 3 cm wide, has a bitter taste and aromatic smell. The rhizome is covered with reddish-brown fibers which are the remains of old leaves. The rhizome is the marketable part. The spear-shaped, hairy leaves, 5 to 8 cm long and up to 2 cm wide, arise in clusters from the ground surface. Its small, fragrant, pinkish-white or bluish-white, and bell-shaped flowers bloom in a single cluster. A single mature plant can yield approximately 0.05–0.2 kg of dry rhizome. Flowers in June – August (Asar – Bhadra), Fruiting in October – November (Kartik – Mangsir).