Arrow root
Phrynium pubinerve

Family: Marantaceae

What it is like

A herb. It can grow from 1-3.5 m high. It forms dense clusters. These can be several metres across. The roots are fattened tubers. The leaves are large. There are 2-3 leaves per shoot. The leaf sheath is 20-100 cm long. The leaf stalk is up to 180 cm long. The leaf blade is green and can be 80 cm long by 30 cm wide. The flowering stalks are between the leaves. The flower stalks can be up to 170 cm long. The flowers are purple. The fruit are round and brown. They are 1-1.2 cm long. Each fruit has 2 or 3 segments and 2 or 3 seeds.

The leaves are used for wrapping food.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It often grows in disturbed areas. It grows near streams and roadsides. It grows in valleys, dense forests and humid areas. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andamans, Asia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The underground tuber is used as a masticatory. Food is boiled in the leaves to add colour and flavour. The leaves are added to the liquid in the manufacturing of vinegar. The leaves are used to wrap cooked rice to add flavour. The roots are cooked as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Tuber, root, leaves - flavour, fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Balgato, Beepavq, Cay la dong, Ekkam, Hnah-thial, Khokam, Kobu, Packing leaf

Synonyms

Pontederia ovata L.; Phrynium capitatum Willd. [Illegitimate]; Phrynium densiflorum Moritzi ex Korn.; Phrynium laoticum Gagnep.; Phrynium malaccense Ridl.; Phrynium ovatum (L.) Druce [Illegitimate]; Phrynium philippinense Ridl.; Phrynium punigerum Blume; Phrynium rheedei Suresh & Nicholson; Phrynium thorelii Gagnep.; Phyllodes capitata Kuntze; Phyllodes pubigera (Blume) Kuntze; Phyllodes pubinervis (Blume) Kuntze; Pontederia ovata L.;