Serpentaria, or Virginia snakeroot (_Aristolochia serpentaria_), is a
native perennial plant occurring in rich woods in the eastern part of
the United States, and most abundantly along the Allegheny Mountains.
The roots of this plant are used in medicine.
Like many other woodland plants, serpentaria requires a rich, moist
loam and partial shade for its best development. It may be readily
propagated from seeds, which, however, require several months for
germination. The seeds are best sown in a well-prepared seed bed as
soon as they are ripe. They may also be sown broadcast or in drills 6
inches apart and lightly covered with leaf mold. A thin mulch of straw
or leaves will afford the necessary winter protection. In the spring
the plants may be set 6 inches apart each way in the permanent beds.
Plantings have been made in the open, in which case the plants were set
4 inches apart in rows 16 inches apart, but the results have been less
satisfactory than with plantings made under shade.
The roots are collected in the fall, thoroughly cleaned, and carefully
dried. Satisfactory data on probable yields under cultivation are not
available. The price usually ranges from 30 to 45 cents a pound.