alumroot

[ al-uhm-root, -root ]

noun

1. any of several North American plants belonging to the genus Heuchera, of the saxifrage family, especially H. americana, having mottled foliage and greenish-white flowers.
2. the root of any of these plants, used as an astringent.

alumroot

/ ˈæləmˌruːt /

noun

1. any of several North American plants of the saxifragaceous genus Heuchera, having small white, reddish, or green bell-shaped flowers and astringent roots
2. the root of such a plant

Word History and Origins

Origin of alumroot¹

An Americanism dating back to 1805–15; alum ¹ + root ¹