Family: Marantaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 1193 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Thalia
Vegetable: False
Observations: Trop. Africa, SE. U.S.A. to Trop. America
Description
Arrowroot, scientifically named Thalia geniculata, is a notable plant within the Marantaceae family. This plant can be traced back to its initial description in 1753, credited to the authoritative work of the renowned scientist Carl Linnaeus, commonly abbreviated as L.
Arrowroot thrives in a variety of tropical environments, predominantly found across tropical regions of Africa, the southeastern United States, and extending to tropical areas of the Americas. Its widespread distribution is a testament to its adaptability and robust nature.
The Arrowroot plant is characterized by its prominent, lush foliage and tall stalks. These features not only contribute to its aesthetic appeal but also its functional use in various cultural and culinary applications across its native regions. The plant’s root system is notably starchy, making it a valuable source of easily digestible carbohydrates, often utilized in dietary practices around the world.
Beyond its practical uses, Thalia geniculata also plays an essential role in local ecosystems. It provides habitat and nourishment for a variety of wildlife, including insects and birds, thereby supporting biodiversity.
In summary, Thalia geniculata, or Arrowroot, is a significant plant species appreciated for its versatility, ecological contributions, and extensive geographical presence.
Common Names
Spa: bijao
Eng: arrowroot, bent alligator-flag, fire-flag
Swe: stor thalia
En: Arrowroot, Fire-flag, Bent alligator-flag, Alligator Flag, Fireflag
Es: Platanilla, Bijao
Sv: Stor thalia
Zh-tw: 垂花水竹芋
Ta: தாலியா ஜெனிகுலேட்டா
Synonyms
- Maranta arundinacea (Billb. ex Beurl.)
- Thalia angustifolia (C.Wright ex Griseb.)
- Thalia altissima (Klotzsch)
- Thalia trichocalyx (Gagnep.)
- Maranta geniculata ((L.) Lam.)
- Thalia caerulea (Ridl.)
- Thalia geniculata var. pubescens (Körn.)
- Thalia welwitschii (Ridl.)
- Thalia geniculata f. rheumoides (Shuey)
- Thalia schumanniana (De Wild.)
- Thalia dipetala (Gagnep.)
- Thalia divaricata (Chapm.)
- Thalia erecta (Vell.)
- Renealmia geniculata ((L.) D.Dietr.)
- Renealmia erecta ((Vell.) D.Dietr.)
- Maranta flexuosa (C.Presl)
Distribution
- Angola (native)
- Argentina Northeast (native)
- Argentina Northwest (native)
- Belize (native)
- Benin (native)
- Bolivia (native)
- Brazil North (native)
- Brazil Northeast (native)
- Brazil South (native)
- Brazil Southeast (native)
- Brazil West-Central (native)
- Burkina (native)
- Cameroon (native)
- Central African Repu (native)
- Chad (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Congo (native)
- Costa Rica (native)
- Cuba (native)
- Dominican Republic (native)
- Ecuador (native)
- Equatorial Guinea (native)
- Ethiopia (native)
- Florida (native)
- French Guiana (native)
- Gabon (native)
- Ghana (native)
- Guatemala (native)
- Guinea (native)
- Guinea-Bissau (native)
- Guyana (native)
- Haiti (native)
- Honduras (native)
- Ivory Coast (native)
- Jamaica (native)
- Leeward Is. (native)
- Liberia (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Mali (native)
- Mexico Central (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mexico Northwest (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Nicaragua (native)
- Nigeria (native)
- Panamá (native)
- Paraguay (native)
- Puerto Rico (native)
- Senegal (native)
- Sierra Leone (native)
- Sudan (native)
- Suriname (native)
- Togo (native)
- Trinidad-Tobago (native)
- Venezuela (native)
- Zambia (native)
- Zaïre (native)
- Zimbabwe (native)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Leaf
Taken Apr 13, 2022 by Lorenzi Harri (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 4, 2022 by Floresta Paisajismo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 5, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 10, 2021 by Hennie Helena (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 2, 2015 by EOL − Chuck Sexton (cc-by-nc)
Other
Taken Mar 3, 2017 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Mar 3, 2017 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Mar 3, 2017 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Mar 3, 2017 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Oct 14, 2022 by Blue Bottle (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Feb 5, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 19, 2020 by Laurent V. (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 30, 2011 by EOL − Sharpj99 (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken May 22, 2015 by EOL − Esther (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Garrett E. Crow (cc-by-nc-sa)
Bark
Taken Sep 27, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)
Taken Sep 27, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)
Taken Sep 27, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)
Taken Aug 14, 2022 by rix Flo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 3, 2017 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)
Fruit
Taken Sep 22, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)
Taken Sep 27, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)
Taken Sep 22, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)
Taken Sep 22, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)
Taken Sep 27, 2019 by Diana (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Kristen Van Neste (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Nov 1, 2015 by EOL − Chuck Sexton (cc-by-nc)
Taken Nov 2, 2015 by EOL − Chuck Sexton (cc-by-nc)
Taken Apr 13, 2022 by Lorenzi Harri (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 29, 2014 by EOL − Francisco Farriols Sarabia (cc-by)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:798255-1)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5303044)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Thalia geniculata L.)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Forb/herb