Culvers root n 1: a tall perennial herb having spikes of small white or purple flowers; common in eastern North America [syn: {Culver's root}, {Culvers root}, {Culver's physic}, {Culvers physic}, {whorlywort}, {Veronicastrum virginicum}]
Culver's physic \Cul"ver's phys"ic\, or Culver's root \Cul"ver's root`\ [So called after a Dr. Culver, who used it.] (Bot.) The root of a handsome erect herb ({Leptandra Virginica} syn. {Veronica Virginica}) common in most moist woods of North America, used as an active cathartic and emetic; also, the plant itself. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]