The plant’s exact identity is unknown to this day, since it went extinct in Roman times. It was a major cash crop of Cyrene, Libya, and even depicted on coins. It was used as seasoning, perfume, aphrodisiac, contraceptive and abortifacient. The last specimen was supposedly given to Emperor Nero.
It was used for way more than Contraceptive. It was an ingredient in food and to heal all sorts of illnesses. Culturally it was very significant.
Pliny the wise documented it pretty well if you are curious