Snakeroot

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Snakeroot \Snake"root`\, n. (Bot.)
     Any one of several plants of different genera and species,
     most of which are (or were formerly) reputed to be
     efficacious as remedies for the bites of serpents; also, the
     roots of any of these.
     [1913 Webster]


  
     Note: The Virginia snakeroot is {Aristolochia Serpentaria};
           black snakeroot is {Sanicula}, esp. {Sanicula
           Marilandica}, also {Cimicifuga racemosa}; Seneca
           snakeroot is {Polygala Senega}; button snakeroot is
           {Liatris}, also {Eryngium}; white snakeroot is
           {Eupatorium ageratoides}. The name is also applied to
           some others besides these.
           [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  snakeroot
       n 1: a plant of the genus Sanicula having palmately compound
            leaves and unisexual flowers in panicled umbels followed
            by bristly fruit; reputed to have healing powers [syn: {sanicle}]
       2: any of various North American plants of the genus Liatris
          having racemes or panicles of small discoid flower heads
          [syn: {blazing star}, {button snakeroot}, {gayfeather}, {gay-feather}]