snakeroot

[ sneyk-root, -root ]

noun

1. any of various plants whose roots root have been regarded as a remedy for snakebites, as the herb Aristolochia serpentaria Virginia snakeroot, having a medicinal rhizome and rootlets, and the white-flowered Polygala senega Seneca snakeroot, having a medicinal root.
2. the root or rhizome of such a plant.
3. the North American bugbane.
4. a white eupatorium, Eupatorium rugosum.
5. a plant, Rauwolfia serpentina (or Rauvolfia serpentina ), whose roots root are the source of reserpine and other drugs.

snakeroot

/ ˈsneɪkˌruːt /

noun

1. any of various North American plants, such as Aristolochia serpentaria ( Virginia snakeroot ) and Eupatorium urticaefolium ( white snakeroot ), the roots or rhizomes of which have been used as a remedy for snakebite
2. the rhizome or root of any such plant
3. another name for bistort bistort

Word History and Origins

Origin of snakeroot¹

First recorded in 1625–35; snake + root ¹

Example Sentences

Around this time on a recent Thursday, a dozen people clustered on one side of the falls, along two ledges that were blanketed in snakeroot, yellow jewelweed, spotted Joe-Pye weed and pale swallowwort.

From New York Times

They grow assorted milkweeds, asters, elderberry, mountain mint, joe-pye weed, goldenrods, white snakeroot and ironweed.

From New York Times

An accomplished amateur artist, she often made paintings of the roses and delphiniums, phlox and snakeroot she so lovingly nurtured.

From Architectural Digest

"This is a park?" he asked, eyeing the beds of rubber tree plants, goldenrods and white snakeroot within.

From New York Times

Having removed the cause, take Powdered snakeroot, 1 ounce.

From Project Gutenberg