noun
- A North American plant (Trillium erectum) of the lily family, having a dark red flower and a rhizome formerly used in folk medicine.
Usage: Also called red trillium or wake-robin.; Botanical/regional term.
Examples
- The birthroot blooms in spring with distinctive dark red petals.
- Native Americans used birthroot in traditional remedies.
- Birthroot grows in shaded woodland areas across eastern North America.
- The plant's rhizome was historically harvested for medicinal purposes.
- Birthroot is now protected in some regions due to overharvesting.