Family: Marantaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 2 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Maranta
Vegetable: Unknown
Observations: Mexico to Trop. America
Description
Arrowroot, known scientifically as Maranta arundinacea, is a hardy perennial plant belonging to the Marantaceae family. This tropical plant thrives predominantly in regions extending from Mexico through Central America and into the warmer climates of the Caribbean and South America.
It is highly valued for its thick, tuberous roots, which are the source of the starchy substance commonly referred to as arrowroot powder. This powder is particularly prized in culinary applications due to its excellent thickening properties, making it a popular ingredient in sauces, soups, and clear jellies. Beyond its culinary uses, arrowroot powder is also utilized in the textile industry for starching fabrics and in traditional medicine as a soothing agent for gastrointestinal ailments.
Characterized by its broad, lance-shaped leaves, Maranta arundinacea typically grows to heights of about 3 to 5 feet. The plant flourishes in humid environments, where it can benefit from the consistently warm temperatures and frequent rainfall typical of tropical ecosystems.
The historical documentation of arrowroot dates back to 1753, a testament to its long-standing significance in both historical and modern applications. Given its versatility and the variety of products derived from it, Maranta arundinacea continues to be an important plant cultivated in many tropical and subtropical regions around the world.
Common Names
Eng: arrowroot, west indian arrowroot, maranta
Deu: pfeilwurz
Por: araruta
Swe: arrowrot
Spa: arruruz, chuchute tamalera
Fra: herbe aux flèches
En: Arrowroot, Maranta, West Indian arrowroot, Krarus
Af: Araroet
Ar: أروروت
Zh: 竹芋, 葛鬱金
Nl: Arrowroot
Fi: Nuolijuuri, Arrowjuuri
Fr: Herbe aux flèches, Dictame, Arrow-root, Rouroute
De: Pfeilwurz
Ht: Sagou
Hi: अरारोट
Io: Aroruto
Id: Garut
Ko: 갈울금
Ms: Ubi larut
Ml: കൂവ
Fa: مارانتا آروندیناسه
Pt: Araruta
Pt-br: Agutiguepe, Araruta, Araruta-comum, Araruta-palmeira
Ru: Маранта тростниковидная
Es: Chuchute tamalera, Arruruz, Maranta
Su: Garut
Sv: Arrowrot
Tl: Aruro
Zh-tw: 竹芋
Th: สาคู
Tr: Ararot
Vi: Mì tinh
Synonyms
- Maranta indica (Tussac)
- Maranta minor (Chantrier ex André)
- Maranta arundinacea var. variegata (Ridl.)
- Maranta ramosissima (Wall.)
- Maranta arundinacea f. sylvestris (Matuda)
- Maranta sylvatica (Roscoe ex Sm.)
- Maranta arundinacea var. indica ((Tussac) Petersen)
Distribution
- Belize (native)
- Brazil West-Central (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Costa Rica (native)
- Cuba (native)
- Dominican Republic (native)
- Ecuador (native)
- El Salvador (native)
- French Guiana (native)
- Guatemala (native)
- Guyana (native)
- Haiti (native)
- Honduras (native)
- Leeward Is. (native)
- Mexico Central (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mexico Northwest (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Nicaragua (native)
- Panamá (native)
- Peru (native)
- Puerto Rico (native)
- Suriname (native)
- Venezuela (native)
- Venezuelan Antilles (native)
- Windward Is. (native)
- Bahamas (introduced)
- Bangladesh (introduced)
- Bermuda (introduced)
- Cambodia (introduced)
- China South-Central (introduced)
- China Southeast (introduced)
- Cook Is. (introduced)
- Equatorial Guinea (introduced)
- Florida (introduced)
- Gabon (introduced)
- Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
- Hainan (introduced)
- India (introduced)
- Jamaica (introduced)
- Kazan-retto (introduced)
- Mauritius (introduced)
- Netherlands Antilles (introduced)
- Philippines (introduced)
- Réunion (introduced)
- Samoa (introduced)
- Sri Lanka (introduced)
- Taiwan (introduced)
- Tonga (introduced)
- Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
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 Nov 1, 2020 by Fria Abuzo-Supat (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 13, 2021 by Adriene Amaral (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 4, 2021 by Jammel Abraham Rico (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 4, 2020 by Laurent Caravel (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 31, 2022 by J M (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Jan 20, 2021 by sandra Rizzardi (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 14, 2014 by EOL − Alexis López Hernández (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jun 21, 2020 by Formina Lara (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 14, 2014 by EOL − Alexis López Hernández (cc-by-nc)
Taken Feb 28, 2021 by dani rama (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Mar 3, 2017 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Bordelon M. (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Wibowo Djatmiko (Wie146) (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 18, 2022 by Isabelle robert (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 25, 2021 by Ana Schick (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Sep 24, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)
Taken Aug 18, 2020 by Laurent Prost (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 14, 2014 by EOL − Alexis López Hernández (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 14, 2014 by EOL − Alexis López Hernández (cc-by-nc)
Other
Taken Sep 16, 2020 by Rafał mayday (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 21, 2019 by Vicki Soup (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 24, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)
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)
Bark
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Daniel H. Janzen (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Daniel H. Janzen (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Daniel H. Janzen (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Daniel H. Janzen (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Mar 20, 2021 by silva Célia (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2761352)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:280408-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Maranta arundinacea L.)
