Culver's root

noun

1. the root of a tall plant, Veronicastrum virginicum, of the figwort family, having spikelike clusters of small, white, tubular flowers, used in medicine as a cathartic and emetic.
2. the plant.

Culver's root

/ ˈkʌlvəz /

noun

1. a tall North American scrophulariaceous plant, Veronicastrum virginicum, having spikes of small white or purple flowers
2. the dried roots of this plant, formerly used as a cathartic and emetic

Word History and Origins

Origin of Culver's root¹

1710–20, Americanism; named after Dr. Culver, 17th–18th-century American physician

Word History and Origins

Origin of Culver's root¹

C19: named after a Dr Culver, 18th-century American physician

Example Sentences

Slender white minarets of the Culver's root, rising from green towers above the leafy architecture of the woodland undergrowth and reaching toward the light of the sky, told the time of the year as plainly as if a muezzin had appeared on one of its leafy balconies and proclaimed a namaz for the middle of July.

From Project Gutenberg

Of mignonette the garden boasts a half dozen species, running from one not more than six inches in height with cinnamon-red flowers to a tall variety with pointed flower spikes, something of the shape of the white flowers of the clethra bush or wands of Culver's root that grow along the fence at Opal Farm.

From Project Gutenberg

The following combination forms a good pill to be taken every night:     Extract of Chirata 40 grains     Podophyllin 4 grains     Wahoo 8 grains     Culver's root 8 grains     Creosote 10 grains Mix and make into twenty pills.

From Project Gutenberg

In fevers, Culver's root can be added to it, if the bowels need regulating.

From Project Gutenberg

I do not know when Culver's root, Leptandra Virginica of our National Pharmacopoeia, became noted, but Cotton Mather, writing in 1716 to John Winthrop of New London, speaks of it as famous for the cure of consumptions, and wishes to get some of it, through his mediation, for Katharine, his eldest daughter.

From Project Gutenberg