rattlesnake root

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rattlesnake root

Any of various plants of the genus Prenanthes of the composite family, having bitter-tasting tuberous roots and clusters of white to purple usually nodding flower heads.

[From the belief that the root cured a rattlesnake's bite.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

rat′tlesnake root`

any of certain composite plants of the genus Prenanthes, whose roots or tubers have been regarded as a remedy for snake bites, as P. serpentaria or P. alba.

[1675–85]

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Noun	1.	rattlesnake root - herb of central and southern Europe having purple florets Prenanthes purpurea genus Prenanthes, Prenanthes - genus of North American and Asiatic perennial herbs having pinnatisect leaves small heads of drooping yellowish to purple flowers; sometimes includes species often placed in genus Nabalus herb, herbaceous plant - a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests
	2.	rattlesnake root - a plant of the genus Nabalus genus Nabalus, Nabalus - genus of North American and east Asian perennial herbs; sometimes included in genus Prenanthes cankerweed, Nabalus alba, Prenanthes alba, white lettuce - herb of northeastern North America having drooping clusters of yellowish-white flowers; sometimes placed in genus Prenanthes herb, herbaceous plant - a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests