līˈa.trə̇s, ˈlīə.t- noun
Etymology: New Latin
1. capitalized : a genus of perennial American herbs (family Compositae) having aromatic often cormous roots, linear grassy leaves, and spikes of rose-purple or white discoid heads of perfect tubular flowers — see blazing star , button snakeroot
2. -es : any of several herbs of Liatris or the closely related genus Trilisa (as wild vanilla and the button snakeroot) sometimes used in medicine