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Summary
Maranta arundinacea, or commonly known as Arrowroot, is an erect, perennial, large herb growing about 1.5 m tall with an edible rhizome. The leaves are narrow oval tapering to a point at each end. The flowers are small and white. The rhizome is a source of a high quality starch used in pastries as for thickening sauces and soup. Medicinally, arrowroot is used for urinary infections, smallpox sores, and as antidote for poisons. It is also grown as ground cover.
Physical Characteristics
Maranta arundinacea is an evergreen Perennial growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Maranta indica Tussac Maranta ramosissima Wall. Maranta sylvatica Roscoe ex Sm. Maranta tessellata k
Plant Habitats
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:
Root - raw or cooked. The source of a high quality edible starch, obtained by grinding the root into a fine powder. This highly digestible starch is used in pastries, biscuits etc, and is preferred to flour for thickening soups, sauces and gravies[301 ]. Unlike flour, it does not add a mealy taste[301 ].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antidote Demulcent Laxative Poultice Urinary
Arrowroot is a soothing demulcent and nutritive food that has traditionally been used in much the same ways as slippery elm (Ulmus rubra)[254 ]. Easily digested, it is of benefit to convalescents and those with weak digestions, helping to relieve acidity, indigestion and colic[254 ]. It is mildly laxative[254 ]. An infusion of the root has traditionally been used to treat urinary infections[254 ]. The root also been used as an antidote for poison[254 ]. The powdered root has been used as an ointment or poultice, especially combined with an antiseptic herb such as myrrh (Commiphora spp.)[254 ]. The powdered root has traditionally been made into a poultice for treating smallpox sores[254 ].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Adhesive Cosmetic
Agroforestry Uses: Plants can be grown as groundcover[200 ]. Other Uses The starch obtained from the root is also used as a base for face powders and in certain types of glue[418 ].
Special Uses
Food Forest Ground Cover
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
A plant of the moist to wet, lowland tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,000 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 23 - 29°c, but can tolerate 17 - 34°c[418 ]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about 5°c[418 ]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,500 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 700 - 4,000mm[418 ]. Prefers a fertile, moist soil in a sunny or partially shaded position[302 ]. Succeeds in most fertile, well-drained soils[418 ]. Friable soils are preferred for better tuber development and easy harvesting[418 ]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 5 - 8[418 ]. The rhizomes mature about 300 - 365 days after planting[418 ]. Successive crops are usually grown on the same land for 5 - 6 years[418 ]. Yields may within 5 - 6 years be between 10 - 35 tonnes per hectare of rhizomes, from which 2.5 - 7.5 tonnes of starch can be obtained[418 ]. Bloom Color: White/Near White.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Plant Propagation
Seed - Division
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Arrowroot, Aloro, Amaranta, Angkrik, Ango, Araratu, Araru, Ararut, Araruttukkilangu, Aroro, Aroro, Arrowroot, Bermuda arrowroot, Berolu, Choc-u, Chok-woo, Chuk shway, Hoangting, Hulakiriya, Khaita alu, Koova, Kuvamavu, Kuvehittu, Kuzu ukon, Larut, Maranta, Misimisi koka'anga, Nginti ali, Palaguntha, Patat sagu, Saakhu, Sagu belanda, Saku, Tavaksha, Tavkil, Tikhor, Tora alu, Ubi garut, Yuquilla, agutiguepe, araruta, araruta do brasil, araruta-comum, araruta-palmeira, arrow, arrow root plant|hulankeeriya, arrowroot, arrowrot, arrurruz, arruruz, chuchute tamalera, citalapattiri, das antilhas ou das índias ocidentais, herbe aux flèches, herbe aux fléches, maranta, obedience plant, pfeilwurz, st. vincent arrow, st. vincent arrowroot, west indian arrow, west indian arrowroot.
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Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Africa, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Barbados, Brazil, Cambodia, Caribbean, Central Africa, Central America, China, Congo, Costa Rica, Dominica, East Timor, Ecuador, Fiji, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Jamaica, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Peru, PNG, Philippines, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Sri Lanka, St Vincent, Suriname, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, USA, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies,
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
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Botanical References
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.
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Subject : Maranta arundinacea
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