Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Veratrum"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Veratrine \Ve*ra"trine\ (?; 277), n. [Cf. F. v['e]ratrine. See
{Veratrum}.] (Chem.)
A poisonous alkaloid obtained from the root hellebore
({Veratrum}) and from sabadilla seeds as a white crystalline
powder, having an acrid, burning taste. It is sometimes used
externally, as in ointments, in the local treatment of
neuralgia and rheumatism. Called also {veratria}, and
{veratrina}.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Veratrum \Ve*ra"trum\, n. [L. veratrum hellebore.] (Bot.)
A genus of coarse liliaceous herbs having very poisonous
qualities.
Note: Veratrum album of Europe, and Veratrum viride of
America, are both called hellebore. They grow in wet
land, have large, elliptical, plicate leaves in three
vertical ranks, and bear panicles of greenish flowers.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
Veratrum
n : a genus of coarse poisonous perennial herbs; sometimes
placed in subfamily Melanthiaceae [syn: {Veratrum}, {genus
Veratrum}]
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