Culver's root

American  

noun

1. 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.

2. the plant.

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Culver's root British  

/ ˈkʌlvəz /

noun

1. a tall North American scrophulariaceous plant, Veronicastrum virginicum, having spikes of small white or purple flowers

2. the dried roots of this plant, formerly used as a cathartic and emetic

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Etymology

Origin of Culver's root

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

Example Sentences

In fevers, Culver's root can be added to it, if the bowels need regulating.

From Mother's Remedies Over One Thousand Tried and Tested Remedies from Mothers of the United States and Canada by Ritter, Thomas Jefferson