Gopherroot

/ˈɡoʊfərˌruːt/ noun

Definition

A plant root, possibly from prairie or grassland plants, traditionally dug up by gophers or found in gopher-inhabited areas; may refer to specific medicinal or edible roots.

Etymology

From 'gopher' + 'root.' Another regional American compound term reflecting folk knowledge of prairie plants and their association with gopher activity and habitat.

Kelly Says

Early settlers learned about native plants partly by watching what gophers dug for—'gopherroot' captures that observation that animals often know which plants are nutritious, making wildlife behavior a teaching tool for botany!

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