Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Plantain \Plan"tain\, n. [F., fr. L. plantago. Cf. {Plant}.]
   (Bot.)
   Any plant of the genus {Plantago}, but especially the {P.
   major}, a low herb with broad spreading radical leaves, and
   slender spikes of minute flowers. It is a native of Europe,
   but now found near the abode of civilized man in nearly all
   parts of the world.

   {Indian plantain}. (Bot.) See under {Indian}.

   {Mud plantain}, a homely North American aquatic plant
      ({Heteranthera reniformis}), having broad, reniform
      leaves.

   {Rattlesnake plantain}, an orchidaceous plant ({Goodyera
      pubescens}), with the leaves blotched and spotted with
      white.

   {Ribwort plantain}. See {Ribwort}.

   {Robin's plantain}, the {Erigeron bellidifolium}, a common
      daisylike plant of North America.

   {Water plantain}, a plant of the genus {Alisma}, having acrid
      leaves, and formerly regarded as a specific against
      hydrophobia. --Loudon.



   {Ground rattlesnake} (Zo["o]l.), a small rattlesnake
      ({Caudisona, or Sistrurus, miliaria}) of the Southern
      United States, having a small rattle. It has nine large
      scales on its head.

   {Rattlesnake fern} (Bot.), a common American fern
      ({Botrychium Virginianum}) having a triangular decompound
      frond and a long-stalked panicle of spore cases rising
      from the middle of the frond.

   {Rattlesnake grass} (Bot.), a handsome American grass
      ({Glyceria Canadensis}) with an ample panicle of rather
      large ovate spikelets, each one composed of imbricated
      parts and slightly resembling the rattle of the
      rattlesnake. Sometimes called {quaking grass}.

   {Rattlesnake plantain} (Bot.), See under {Plantain}.

   {Rattlesnake root} (Bot.), a name given to certain American
      species of the composite genus {Prenanthes} ({P. alba} and
      {P. serpentaria}), formerly asserted to cure the bite of
      the rattlesnake. Calling also {lion's foot}, {gall of the
      earth}, and {white lettuce}.

   {Rattlesnake's master} (Bot.)
   (a) A species of Agave ({Agave Virginica}) growing in the
       Southern United States.
   (b) An umbelliferous plant ({Eryngium yucc[ae]folium}) with
       large bristly-fringed linear leaves.
   (c) A composite plant, the blazing star ({Liatris
       squarrosa}).

   {Rattlesnake weed} (Bot.), a plant of the composite genus
      {Hieracium} ({H. venosum}); -- probably so named from its
      spotted leaves. See also {Snakeroot}.

Source : WordNet®

rattlesnake plantain
     n : any of several small temperate and tropical orchids having
         mottled or striped leaves and spikes of small
         yellowish-white flowers in a twisted raceme [syn: {helleborine}]