Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Snakeroot \Snake"root`\, n. (Bot.)
   Any one of several plants of different genera and species,
   most of which are (or were formerly) reputed to be
   efficacious as remedies for the bites of serpents; also, the
   roots of any of these.

   Note: The Virginia snakeroot is {Aristolochia Serpentaria};
         black snakeroot is {Sanicula}, esp. {S. Marilandica},
         also {Cimicifuga racemosa}; Seneca snakeroot is
         {Polygala Senega}; button snakeroot is {Liatris}, also
         {Eryngium}; white snakeroot is {Eupatorium
         ageratoides}. The name is also applied to some others
         besides these.

Cohosh \Co"hosh\, n. (Bot.)
   A perennial American herb ({Caulophyllum thalictroides}),
   whose rootstock is used in medicine; -- also called {pappoose
   root}. The name is sometimes also given to the {Cimicifuga
   racemosa}, and to two species of {Act[ae]a}, plants of the
   Crowfoot family.

Source : WordNet®

Cimicifuga racemosa
     n : North American bugbane found from Main and Ontario to
         Wisconsin and south to Georgia [syn: {black cohosh}, {black
         snakeroot}, {rattle-top}]