'Polygala Senega' definitions:

Definition of 'Polygala senega'

noun

Eastern North American plant having a terminal cluster of small white flowers and medicinal roots [syn: Seneca snakeroot, Seneka snakeroot, senga root, senega root, senega snakeroot, Polygala senega]

From: GCIDE

Senegin \Sen"e*gin\, n. (Med. Chem.) A substance extracted from the rootstock of the {Polygala Senega} (Seneca root), and probably identical with polygalic acid. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Senecas \Sen"e*cas\, n. pl.; sing. Seneca. (Ethnol.) A tribe of Indians who formerly inhabited a part of Western New York. This tribe was the most numerous and most warlike of the Five Nations. [1913 Webster]
Seneca grass(Bot.), holy grass. See under Holy.
Seneca eil, petroleum or naphtha.
Seneca root, or Seneca snakeroot (Bot.), the rootstock of an American species of milkworth (Polygala Senega) having an aromatic but bitter taste. It is often used medicinally as an expectorant and diuretic, and, in large doses, as an emetic and cathartic. [Written also {Senega root}, and Seneka root.] [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

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. [1913 Webster]
Note: The Virginia snakeroot is Aristolochia Serpentaria; black snakeroot is Sanicula, esp. {Sanicula 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. [1913 Webster]