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Glite Dictionary
coontie

coontie

9.9
A small tough plant from Florida and the Caribbean with roots that make edible starch
  • noun
  • /ˈkʊnti/
  • US
translation icon : coontie
  • Early Floridians used coontie roots to produce a starchy flour for food.
  • coontie root

Examples

  • Traditional communities valued coontie for its edible arrowroot and resilience in harsh climates.

  • The coontie plant thrives in sandy soil.

  • The endangered coontie plant helps support populations of the Atala butterfly.

  • Many coonties grow in the wetlands of Florida.

  • The locals make a traditional dish using coontie flour, which is extracted from the roots of the plant.

  • In Florida, coontie is often used to make a starchy bread that has been enjoyed by residents for generations.

  • When hiking in the wetlands, you might come across coontie plants, which are known for their tough, woody structure.

Synonyms

Florida arrowroot
vscoontie
  • US
8.2

A tropical plant from Florida and nearby islands whose roots make a starchy flour

is the regional plant name rather than the product name
Seminole bread
vscoontie
  • US
9.9

A small woody plant whose roots make a starch used for food

is the plant name used outside the food context
Zamia pumila
vscoontie
  • Specialized
9.9

A small woody plant like a palm whose tough roots people use to make arrowroot

is the exact species in this entry rather than a related species

Surface Forms

coontie singular
coonties plural

Etymology

Coontie comes from a Native American name for this small Florida and Caribbean plant. Early people used its roots to make a starchy food called 'arrowroot', so English kept the local name for the plant and its edible roots.