snakeroot

2 definitions found

snakeroot - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  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]

snakeroot - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  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, snakeroot]
      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
         , snakeroot]