coontie

[ koon-tee ]

noun

1. either of two arrowroots, Zamia integrifolia or Z. floridana, of Florida, having a short trunk, pinnate leaves, and cones: Z. floridana is an endangered species.
2. the flour produced from its starch.

coontie

/ ˈkuːntɪ /

noun

1. an evergreen plant, Zamia floridana of S Florida, related to the cycads and having large dark green leathery leaves: family Zamiaceae
2. a starch derived from the underground stems of this plant

Word History and Origins

Origin of coontie¹

1785–95, Americanism; < Florida Creek kuntí· applied to arrowroot and the starch derived therefrom, earlier (in Georgia) applied to the smilax

Word History and Origins

Origin of coontie¹

C19: from Seminole kunti flour from this plant

Example Sentences

The resurgence of a native Floridian plant, the coontie, has in return revived the fortunes of the native Atala butterfly, which relies on the coontie and related plants to feed its larvae.

From Washington Times

He had brought back a new species of orchid, several undescribed beetles, and a pocketful of coontie seed.

From Project Gutenberg

The coontie was over-harvested for starch in the state, a trend that has since been reversed.

From Washington Times