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.

Eryngium \E*ryn"gi*um\ ([-e]*r[i^]n"j[i^]*[u^]m), n. [NL., fr.
   Gr. 'hry`ggion, dim. of 'h`ryggos eryngo; cf. L. eryngion,
   erynge.] (Bot.)
   A genus of umbelliferous plants somewhat like thistles in
   appearance. {Eryngium maritimum}, or sea holly, has been
   highly esteemed as an aphrodisiac, the roots being formerly
   candied.

Source : WordNet®

Eryngium
     n : large genus of decorative plants with thistlelike flower
         heads; cosmopolitan in distribution [syn: {genus Eryngium}]