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}]
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]