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Maranta arundinacea L.
| Family Name: | Marantaceae |
| Common Name: | Arrowroot, West Indian Arrowroot, 竹芋 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Central and South America |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is an erect perennial plant growing about 0.5-1 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Roots | Its rhizomes are cylindrical and fleshy, usually whitish colored. |
| Foliage | Leaves are bright green and elongated with pointed tips. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Storage Organs Others: The underground rhizomes are made into flour. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General, Flowerbed / Border, Container Planting, Parks & Gardens |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Storage Organ |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Specialised Storage Organ(s) | Underground (Rhizome) |
|---|
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 29777 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 4086 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
