Dictionary.net

• Ord. Compositae. An indigenous plant, growing in meadows and moist grounds in the Middle and Southern States. Its beautiful purple compound flowers are in a spike. They apyiear in August. The root has been considered diuretic.

1846 - Medical lexicon: a dictionary of medical science
By Robley Dunglison

• Long spiked button snakeroot. According to Schoepf, the root is diuretic.

1916 - Appleton's medical dictionary
By Smith Ely Jelliffe