Arrowroot
Family Marantaceae
Maranta arundinacea, arrowroot (M. arundinacea 1), is an erect perennial herb with fleshy cylindrical rhizomes, usually white; 20-40 cm long, bearing overlapping scale leaves. Leaves (M. arundinacea 2) are in 2 ranks, with a central midrib and closely spaced parallel veins, and with petioles sheathing at the base. The irregular flowers are borne in a terminal inflorescence. Each flower with a white 3-lobed tubular corolla, staminodes and stamens, and an inferior ovary.
Maranta is named after Bartholomeus Marantha, physician in Venice (1554).
Distribution
Arrowroot is indigenous in the northern part of South America and the Lesser Antilles. It was known to the Indians long before Columbus' arrival. The word arrowroot may be derived from the Carib word ‘araruta’ , meaning mealy root. Another explanation for its name says the plant contains an antidote against arrow poisons. It has been widely distributed throughout the tropics, but it achieved little importance except in the West Indies. Small-scale cultivation takes place in West Africa, Madagascar, Mauritius, India, Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia.
Use
Arrowroot is cultivated for its fleshy rhizomes (M. arundinacea 3), containing a fine-grained starch which is easily digestible and therefore used in infant foods. It is also applied in certain types of glue. However, due to its high price, its use is limited.