|
Arrowroot
Maranta arundinacea
L.
mah-RAN-tah
ah-run-din-ACE-ee-uh
Marantaceae
Explanation
of name:
Genus named for B. Maranti, Venetian physician and botanist (d. 1754 (HUX, BAC).
The specific epithet presumably refelcts resemblance to the grass genus
Arundo.
Natural
range:
Tropical America, escaped a little in Miami-Dade County (WU1)
Recognition:
As with other Marantaceae, the leaves have a swelling where the leaf joins the
petiole. The leaves are narrowly to broadly ovate with pointed tips and usually
have rounded or squared-off bases. The white tubular flowers are held above the
leaves.
‘Variegata’
has variegated foliage. In ‘Aurea’ the leaves are golden and green.
Landscape
uses:
In containers or as clumps or borders in the ground in ideal sites, Marantas
require well drained but abundantly moistened rich soil. They prefer bright
light but need protection from direct sun. BAC suggests letting the roots become
dry in late winter then repotting in spring.
Note:
This species is one source of Arrowroot starch.
|
Botanical |
English |
FL native |
Growth form
|
Flowering season
|
Typical dimensions
|
Suggested spacing |
Cultural conditions
|
Problems
|
|
Maranta arundinacea |
Maranta,
Arrowroot |
Exotic but escaped a little |
Rhizomatous Perennial |
AY (WU1) |
To 6’
(usually smaller)
(HUX) |
|
PS (but ample light)
MO
(Dry in late winter? See discussion)
RS
(BAC, HUX) |
Slight tendency to escape cultivation (WU1) |
|
