balsamroot
|bal-sam-root|
🇺🇸
/ˈbɑːlsəmˌruːt/
🇬🇧
/ˈbɔːlsəmruːt/
sunflower-like plant with balsam-like root
Etymology
'balsamroot' originates from English, specifically a compound of 'balsam' and 'root'; 'balsam' comes via Old French and Latin from Greek/Latin words for a resinous, aromatic substance and 'root' from Old English 'rōt' meaning 'root'.
'balsam' entered English from Old French (basme) and Latin 'balsamum', ultimately from Greek 'balsamon'; the compound 'balsamroot' developed in English as a common-name formation combining 'balsam' + 'root' to name plants with resinous or balsam-like properties (notably Balsamorhiza species).
Initially, 'balsam' referred to a resinous aromatic substance; over time, in the compound 'balsamroot' it came to denote a plant characterized by balsam-like qualities (resinous scent or medicinal use), and today it primarily denotes the plant itself.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a common name for perennial, yellow-flowered plants of the genus Balsamorhiza (family Asteraceae), native to western North America; often has a large taproot and sunflower-like heads.
Balsamroot carpets the hillsides in early spring with bright yellow blooms.
Synonyms
Noun 2
specifically, Balsamorhiza sagittata (arrowleaf balsamroot) or similar species referred to in field guides and common speech.
The field guide noted balsamroot (B. sagittata) as a key early nectar source for bees.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/08 08:18