bitterroot n 1: showy succulent ground-hugging plant of Rocky Mountains regions having deep to pale pink flowers and fleshy farinaceous roots; the Montana state flower [syn: {bitterroot}, {Lewisia rediviva}]
Bitterroot \Bit"ter*root`\, n. (Bot.) A plant ({Lewisia rediviva}) allied to the purslane, but with fleshy, farinaceous roots, growing in the mountains of Idaho, Montana, etc. It gives the name to the Bitter Root mountains and river. The Indians call both the plant and the river Sp[ae]t'lum. [1913 Webster]