Coonroot

/ˈkuːnruːt/ noun

Definition

A plant of the arum family (Zamia integrifolia or similar species) with an edible root used by Native Americans and early settlers.

Etymology

From coon (possibly from Seminole or other Native American languages) combined with root, referring to the edible tuber of the plant. Also called coontie or coonjine.

Kelly Says

The Seminole and other Native American groups used coonroot (Zamia integrifolia) to make starch, and early European settlers learned these techniques—the compound word 'coonroot' represents cultural exchange in food and medicine.

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