The fragrant oil of an Indian plant, Nardostachys jatamansi, which grows with a 'spike.' The Arabic, name sunbul hindi, Indian spike, preserves the same idea. The perfume when pure was very valuable (Joh 12:3).
About the meaning of the Gr. epithet pistik
And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head.
Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.