roseroot

[ rohz-root, -root ]

noun

1. any of certain perennial mountain plants, as Sedum rosea, Sedum rhodiola, or Rhodiola rosea, so called because the roots smell like roses.

Word History and Origins

Origin of roseroot¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; rose ¹( def ) + root ¹( def )

Example Sentences

In addition to protecting many animal species, the new EPA policy would extend to many endangered plant species like the Leedy's roseroot, the Mead's milkweed, the Okeechobee gourd and the Palmate-bracted bird's beak.

From Salon

“We’re making something a little stronger than tea today, though. Out in the garden, there’s some roseroot in the north corner. I need...”

From Literature

The roseroot grew low to the ground along the northern fence, its fleshy leaves lining a stem topped with brushlike yellow flowers.

From Literature

A large species of broom, four or five feet high, covered with golden blossom the size of pea-flowers, although the common broom had long passed its blooming, now showed itself as well as roseroot sedum, neither of which had I seen while coming over the schist.

From Project Gutenberg