Culver's root


noun

the root of a tall plant, Veronicastrum virginicum, of the figwort family, having spikelike clusters of small, white, tubular flowers, used in medicine as a cathartic and emetic.
the plant.

Origin of Culver's root

1710–20, Americanism; named after Dr. Culver, 17th–18th-century American physician

British Dictionary definitions for culver's root

Culver's root

Culver's physic

/ (ˈkʌlvəz) /

noun

a tall North American scrophulariaceous plant, Veronicastrum virginicum, having spikes of small white or purple flowers
the dried roots of this plant, formerly used as a cathartic and emetic

Word Origin for Culver's root

C19: named after a Dr Culver, 18th-century American physician