224 MEDICINAL PLANTS OF JAMAICA. 



der Columnijerce. All of them are mucilaginous, sapona- 

 ceous, and emollient, and may safely be employed where mu- 

 cilaginous and emollient medicines are indicated. 



A decoction of the common broomweed * in the West In- 

 dies, or of the various species of Sida, may properly be sub- 

 stituted in the room of marshmallow roots. 



Many of them yield gums, which are of a similar nature 

 to that of the cashew. Some are used as food, and are highly 

 restorative. We spoke of this above, under the name of Hi- 

 biscus esculentus, Okra. 



66. Maranta arundinacra. — Indian Arrow Root. — The Starch 



Plant. 



This is cultivated in gardens and in provision-grounds. It 

 rises to two feet, has broad pointed leaves, small white flowers, 

 and one seed. 



The roots, when a year old, are dug up, well washed in 

 water, and then beaten in large deep wooden mortars to a 

 pulp. This is thrown into a large tub of clean water. The 

 whole is then well stirred, and the fibrous part wrung out by 

 the hands, and thrown away. The milky liquor being pas- 

 sed through a hair-sieve, or coarse cloth, is suffered to settle, 

 and the clear water is drained off. At the bottom of the ves- 

 sel is a white mass, which is again mixed with clean water, 

 and drained : lastly, the mass is dried on sheets in the sun, 

 and is pure starch. (The starch or flower is often baked into 

 cakes, with eggs and butter, or boiled into pap or gruel.) 



A decoction of the fresh roots makes an excellent ptisan in 

 acute diseases. 



(The leaves are broad, smooth, pointed, and of a lively 

 green colour. The flowers are small and white. The roots 

 are white, and jointed like the arrows of the Indians. The 



" Sirla alnifolia and rhombifolia. 



