THE ARROW-ROOT FAMILY. 



173 



a native of West Tropical Africa, are handsome plants, 

 having round, compact heads of red, yellow, or white flowers. 

 The latter species is in great repute as a preventive of 

 sea-sickness. 



The Arrow-root Family. 



(Marantace^.) 



These plants agree in habit and general appearance with 

 the Ginger family, but they are entirely destitute of aroma, 

 have no perfume, and are technically distinguished by their 

 broad, petaloid stamens, two of which are rudimentary or 

 abortive. 



About 160 species are enumerated as belonging to this 

 family. They are decidedly tropical, the greater number 

 being from tropical America. Their roots contain a large 

 quantity of starch. 



Arrow-root (^Maranta arundinaced). This is extensively 

 cultivated in the West Indies, and is a native of tropical 

 America. It is a reed-like plant, and arrow-root is ob- 

 tained from its fleshy rhizomes by maceration, washing, and 

 drying. There are several varieties, one with dark-coloured 

 stems and leaves is cultivated in Trinidad. In the East 

 Indies arrow-root is obtained from M. ramosissima. The 

 name " arrow-root" is said to be derived from the circum- 

 stance of the Indians applying the roots to wounds received 

 from poisoned arrows. 



A great number of variegated Marantas and Calatheas 

 with beautifully mottled or streaked foliage have been intro- 

 duced from tropical America, and form attractive objects in 

 our hothouses and plant-stoves. Calathea zehrina is a native 

 of Brazil, and together with several species of Maranta are 

 favourite exhibition plants. 



Indian Shot {Canna indica). A well-known ornamental 

 plant, said to be a native of India, but now indigenous to 

 most tropical countries. It takes its name from the seeds 

 being black and extremely hard, about the size of swan-shot. 



