birthroot

[ burth-root, -root ]

noun

1. Also called birthwort, purple trillium. a trillium, Trillium erectum, the roots root of which were formerly used in medicine as an astringent.
2. any of certain other species of trillium.

birthroot

/ ˈbɜːθˌruːt /

noun

1. any of several North American plants of the genus Trillium , esp T. erectum , whose tuber-like roots were formerly used by the Native Americans as an aid in childbirth: family Trilliaceae

Word History and Origins

Origin of birthroot¹

First recorded in 1815–25; birth + root ¹

Example Sentences

The very short rootstock and strong terminal bud of a Trillium or Birthroot.

From Project Gutenberg