Definition: rattlesnake plantain

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7 

rattlesnake plantain
     n : any of several small temperate and tropical orchids having
         mottled or striped leaves and spikes of small
         yellowish-white flowers in a twisted raceme [syn: helleborine]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) 

Plantain \Plan"tain\, n. [F., fr. L. plantago. Cf. Plant.]
   (Bot.)
   Any plant of the genus Plantago, but especially the P.
   major, a low herb with broad spreading radical leaves, and
   slender spikes of minute flowers. It is a native of Europe,
   but now found near the abode of civilized man in nearly all
   parts of the world.

   Indian plantain. (Bot.) See under Indian.

   Mud plantain, a homely North American aquatic plant
      (Heteranthera reniformis), having broad, reniform
      leaves.

   Rattlesnake plantain, an orchidaceous plant (Goodyera
      pubescens), with the leaves blotched and spotted with
      white.

   Ribwort plantain. See Ribwort.

   Robin's plantain, the Erigeron bellidifolium, a common
      daisylike plant of North America.

   Water plantain, a plant of the genus Alisma, having acrid
      leaves, and formerly regarded as a specific against
      hydrophobia. --Loudon.

   Ground rattlesnake (Zo["o]l.), a small rattlesnake
      (Caudisona, or Sistrurus, miliaria) of the Southern
      United States, having a small rattle. It has nine large
      scales on its head.

   Rattlesnake fern (Bot.), a common American fern
      (Botrychium Virginianum) having a triangular decompound
      frond and a long-stalked panicle of spore cases rising
      from the middle of the frond.

   Rattlesnake grass (Bot.), a handsome American grass
      (Glyceria Canadensis) with an ample panicle of rather
      large ovate spikelets, each one composed of imbricated
      parts and slightly resembling the rattle of the
      rattlesnake. Sometimes called quaking grass.

   Rattlesnake plantain (Bot.), See under Plantain.

   Rattlesnake root (Bot.), a name given to certain American
      species of the composite genus Prenanthes (P. alba and
      P. serpentaria), formerly asserted to cure the bite of
      the rattlesnake. Calling also lion's foot, gall of the
      earth, and white lettuce.

   Rattlesnake's master (Bot.)
   (a) A species of Agave (Agave Virginica) growing in the
       Southern United States.
   (b) An umbelliferous plant (Eryngium yucc[ae]folium) with
       large bristly-fringed linear leaves.
   (c) A composite plant, the blazing star (Liatris
       squarrosa).

   Rattlesnake weed (Bot.), a plant of the composite genus
      Hieracium (H. venosum); -- probably so named from its
      spotted leaves. See also Snakeroot.