SNAKEROOT

sanicle, snakeroot

(noun) 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

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

snakeroot (countable and uncountable, plural snakeroots)

Any member of the genus Ageratina of perennials and rounded shrubs from the sunflower family, growing mainly in the warmer regions of the Americas.

Any of various plants of other genera, including Eupatorium, Asarum canadense (Canadian snakeroot), Aristolochia serpentaria (Virginia snakeroot), Eryngium cuneifolium, Plantago major, Polygala senega (Seneca snakeroot), and Rauvolfia serpentina (Indian snakeroot).

Source: Wiktionary

Snake"root`, n. (Bot.)

Definition: 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.

Note: The Virginia snakeroot is Aristolochia Serpentaria; black snakeroot is Sanicula, esp. S. 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition