snakeroot

noun

• 1any of a number of North American plants reputed to contain an antidote to snake poison, in particular:

  • (Virginian snakeroot) a birthwort with long heart-shaped leaves and curved tubular flowers (Aristolochia serpentaria, family Aristolochiaceae). (white snakeroot) a poisonous plant which causes milk sickness in livestock (Eupatorium rugosum, family Compositae).

• 2any of a number of plants thought to resemble a snake in shape, in particular Indian snakeroot (see rauwolfia).