Definition

Noun: 1. A North American flowering plant of the genus Liatris: A perennial herb characterized by tall spikes of small, button-like, purple or white flower heads. It is native to prairies and open woodlands. 2. A coarse, prickly perennial eryngo (Eryngium yuccifolium): A plant with spiny, yucca-like leaves and greenish-white flower heads, native to the southeastern United States. It was historically believed to have medicinal properties.

Usage Examples

• As a common name for Liatris species:
  • The meadow was dotted with the purple blooms of button snakeroot.
  • Button snakeroot is a valuable plant for attracting butterflies and bees.
• As a common name for Eryngium yuccifolium:
  • We identified the rattlesnake master, also called button snakeroot, by its distinctive spiky leaves.
  • Historically, a tea made from button snakeroot roots was used as a folk remedy.

Advanced Usage

• The name "button snakeroot" is applied to botanically distinct plants ( and ) due to the similar appearance of their dense, rounded flower heads and a shared history of folk use related to snakebites.
• In precise botanical or horticultural contexts, using the scientific names (, ) is necessary to avoid confusion.

Variants and Related Words

• Blazing star: A more common name for plants in the genus.
• Rattlesnake master: The most widely used common name for .
• Gayfeather: Another synonym for species.

Synonyms

• For : blazing star, gayfeather.
• For : rattlesnake master, button eryngo.

Notes on Meaning

This word is a common name (not a scientific term) for two different types of North American plants: 1. The primary reference is to various species of the genus Liatris, prized as ornamental garden plants and for attracting pollinators. 2. The secondary reference is to the specific plant Eryngium yuccifolium, known for its rugged, architectural form and historical medicinal folklore. Context usually clarifies which plant is meant.

Noun

1. any of various North American plants of the genus Liatris having racemes or panicles of small discoid flower heads
2. coarse prickly perennial eryngo with aromatic roots; southeastern United States; often confused with rattlesnake master
3. coarse prickly perennial eryngo of United States thought to cure rattlesnake bite