Maranta \Ma*ran"ta\, prop. n. [NL.] (Bot.)
A genus of endogenous plants found in tropical America, and
some species also in India. They have tuberous roots
containing a large amount of starch, and from one species
({Maranta arundinacea}, the American arrowroot or obedience
plant) {arrowroot} ({arrowroot starch}) is obtained. Many
kinds are cultivated for ornament.
[1913 Webster]
Arrowroot \Ar"row*root`\, n.
1. (Bot.) A white-flowered west Indian plant of the genus
{Maranta}, esp. {Maranta arundinacea}, now cultivated in
many hot countries. Its root yields {arrowroot starch}. It
said that the Indians used the roots to neutralize the
venom in wounds made by poisoned arrows.
Syn: arrowroot, American arrowroot, obedience plant.
[1913 Webster]
2. A nutritive starch obtained from the rootstocks of
{Maranta arundinacea}, and used as food, esp. for children
an invalids; also, a similar starch obtained from other
plants, as various species of {Maranta} and {Curcuma}.
[1913 Webster]