Arrowroot
Maranta arundinaceae
Arrowroot - perennial on a creeping rhizome with scaly, fleshy tubers. The stems are reed-like and grow to 2m (6ft)
with smooth, oval leaves, sheathed at the base. Pairs of cream-colored flowers appear at the ends of the long stems.
In Jamaica, mashed arrow root was made into a poultice for poisonous
stings and arrow
wounds. Medicinally, arrowroot
soothes the digestive tract and hospitals formerly employed it in barium meals given prior to X-raying the
gastrointestinal system.
HABITAT AND CULTIVATION
Arrowroot is native to the West Indies and tropical America, from Mexico south to Brazil. Introduced to south-east Asia,
India, and Africa and cultivated commercially on a small scale.
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