"Root" foods refers to plants whose underground storage organs are consumed. Bulbs, corms, tuberous, tuberous roots, and rhizomes are underground storage organs (USO’s) commonly referred to as root vegetables, although they are really a much more diverse group. The Columbia Plateau has cool, rainy to snowy winters and hot, dry summers. Plants in this climate are forced to adapt to little to no rain in the summer, and USO's are one way of storing food for the summer months. People take advantage of this adaptation by eating that energy stored in these "roots."
