pbs Digest, Vol 92, Issue 12 re "root thingie"
CGeat25049@aol.com (Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:41:44 PDT)

Hi Justin,
I think your "root thingie" Is called a lignotuber. They are woody
swellings and are found on plants where there is danger of fire burning off the
above ground growth.
Cherry G