1. a plant native to western North America with pink or white flowers and an edible root that tastes bitter
Usage: botanical name: Lewisia rediviva; also called spring beauty
2. the edible root of this plant, traditionally used as food by Native American peoples
Usage: historical and cultural significance

Examples

• The bitterroot grows in rocky mountain meadows throughout the western United States.
• Native tribes harvested bitterroot in spring when the plant was in bloom.
• The bitterroot root was dried and stored for winter food supplies.
• Montana's state flower is the bitterroot, which blooms in early summer.
• Bitterroot Valley in Montana was named after this native plant.