noun
Refers to the root vegetable Pastinaca sativa, distinct from the common orange carrot.
白人参はスープに入れると甘みが出る。
Parsnips become sweet when added to soup.
人参 usually refers to the common orange carrot, while 白人参 specifically means parsnip.
Compound of 白 (しろ, 'white') and 人参 (にんじん, 'carrot'), literally 'white carrot'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the spelling is conventionally associated with the meaning.