Arrowroot
Maranta arundinacea

Family: Marantaceae

What it is like

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.

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.

Height (m): 1

Where it is found

Moist floors of evergreen or deciduous forests, often in clearings where light levels are relatively high.

Northern and western S. America.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

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, 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,

How it is used

Food

Rating: 4

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. Unlike flour, it does not add a mealy taste.

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicine

Rating: 3

Arrowroot is a soothing demulcent and nutritive food that has traditionally been used in much the same ways as slippery elm (Ulmus rubra). Easily digested, it is of benefit to convalescents and those with weak digestions, helping to relieve acidity, indigestion and colic. It is mildly laxative. An infusion of the root has traditionally been used to treat urinary infections. The root also been used as an antidote for poison. The powdered root has been used as an ointment or poultice, especially combined with an antiseptic herb such as myrrh (Commiphora spp.). The powdered root has traditionally been made into a poultice for treating smallpox sores.

Antidote: Counters poisoning.

Demulcent: Soothes, lubricates and softens irritated tissues, especially the mucous membranes.

Laxative: Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.

Poultice: A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.

Urinary: Treats urinary problems, including urinary tract infection (UTI).

Other

Rating: 2

Agroforestry Uses: Plants can be grown as groundcover. Other Uses The starch obtained from the root is also used as a base for face powders and in certain types of glue.

Adhesive: Glues.

Cosmetic: Used to improve the physical appearence of a person.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

Ground Cover: Ground Cover

How it is grown

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. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about 5°c. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,500 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 700 - 4,000mm. Prefers a fertile, moist soil in a sunny or partially shaded position. Succeeds in most fertile, well-drained soils. Friable soils are preferred for better tuber development and easy harvesting. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 5 - 8. The rhizomes mature about 300 - 365 days after planting. Successive crops are usually grown on the same land for 5 - 6 years. 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. Bloom Color: White/Near White.

Propagating it: Seed - Division

Best place to grow:

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Full shade, semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist, wet

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

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.

Synonyms

Maranta indica Tussac Maranta ramosissima Wall. Maranta sylvatica Roscoe ex Sm. Maranta tessellata k