SNAKEWOOD

snakewood, Rauwolfia serpentina

(noun) East Indian climbing shrub with twisted limbs and roots resembling serpents

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

snakewood (usually uncountable, plural snakewoods)

Brosimum guianense (family Rosaceae), an Amazonian tree having hard, speckled wood that resembles snakeskin; used in musical instruments.

Acacia xiphophylla and Acacia intorta (family Fabaceae), trees with curving, snake-like limbs, antive to Australia.

Any of various North American shrubs of the genus Colubrina (family Rhamnaceae), often specifically Colubrina texensis.

Any of the shrubs of the Americas in genus Condalia (family Rhamnaceae).

Synonyms

• (Colubrina spp.): nakedwood, greenheart, hogplum

• (Condalia spp.): bluewood, purple haw, logwood

Source: Wiktionary

Snake"wood`, n. (Bot.) (a) An East Indian climbing plant (Strychnos colubrina) having a bitter taste, and supposed to be a remedy for the bite of the hooded serpent. (b) An East Indian climbing shrub (Ophioxylon serpentinum) which has the roots and stems twisted so as to resemble serpents. (c) Same as Trumpetwood. (d) A tropical American shrub (Plumieria rubra) which has very fragrant red blossoms. (e) Same as Letterwood.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition