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.

Source : WordNet®

snakeroot
     n 1: a plant of the genus Sanicula having palmately compound
          leaves and unisexual flowers in panicled umbels followed
          by bristly fruit; reputed to have healing powers [syn: {sanicle}]
     2: any of various North American plants of the genus Liatris
        having racemes or panicles of small discoid flower heads
        [syn: {blazing star}, {button snakeroot}, {gayfeather}, {gay-feather}]