What is "viper's grass"

viper \vi"per\ (v[imac]"p[~e]r), n. [F. vip[`e]re, L. vipera, probably contr. fr. vivipera; vivus alive + parere to bring forth, because it was believed to be the only serpent that brings forth living young. Cf. Quick, a., Parent, Viviparous, Wivern, Weever.]

1. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of Old World venomous snakes belonging to Vipera, Clotho, Daboia, and other genera of the family Viperid[ae].

   There came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
   --Acts xxviii. 3.

   Note: Among the best-known species are the European adder ( Pelias berus), the European asp ( Vipera aspis), the African horned viper ( Vipera cerastes), and the Indian viper ( Daboia Russellii).

2. A dangerous, treacherous, or malignant person.

   Who committed To such a viper his most sacred trust Of secrecy.
   --Milton.

3. Loosely, any venomous or presumed venomous snake.

   Horned viper. (Zo["o]l.) See Cerastes.

   Red viper (Zo["o]l.), the copperhead.

   Viper fish (Zo["o]l.), a small, slender, phosphorescent deep-sea fish ( Chauliodus Sloanii). It has long ventral and dorsal fins, a large mouth, and very long, sharp teeth.

   Viper's bugloss (Bot.), a rough-leaved biennial herb ( Echium vulgare) having showy purplish blue flowers. It is sometimes cultivated, but has become a pestilent weed in fields from New York to Virginia. Also called blue weed.

   Viper's grass (Bot.), a perennial composite herb ( Scorzonera Hispanica) with narrow, entire leaves, and solitary heads of yellow flowers. The long, white, carrot-shaped roots are used for food in Spain and some other countries. Called also viper grass.

n. perennial south European herb having narrow entire leaves and solitary yellow flower heads and long black-skinned carrot-shaped edible roots [syn: black salsify, scorzonera, Scorzonera hispanica]

Viper's grass can refer to:

• Dinebra retroflexa
• Scorzonera hispanica
• Scorzonera humilis