MARANTA ARUNMNACEA. 



13 



MARANTA ARUNDINACEA, Linn. 



Arrowroot. 



Natural order Scitaminece. 



An American plant, largely grown in the West Indies, on which account it is 

 usually known by the name of "West Indian Arrowroot. The word 'arrowroot' was 

 originally given to another species, Maranta Galangal, the fresh juice from the rhizomes 

 of which was used by the Mexican Indian as an antidote to their arrow poison. 



Dr. Jameson, writing from Saharanpur, says : " It grows well throughout the N.- 

 W. Provinces. The tubers are ready in January, which is the best month for preparing 

 the powder." Some arrowroot prepared by Mr. Frazer at Haldwani, below Naini Tal, 

 was considered by experts to be equal to the best West Indian arrowroot. 



For the successful cultivation of this plant a good rich friable soil is required 

 and plenty of irrigation except at the time when the tubers are ripening. The tubers 

 are planted in May, in drills, and earthed up like potatoes. 



Arrowroot should be a profitable crop in some of the Tarai districts. 



East Indian arrowroot is yielded by Curcuma angustifolia, which is found wild at 

 low elevations on the Himalaya as well as in Central and Southern India, where the 

 arrowroot-like starch is largely prepared and exported. Roxburgh (quoting Colebrooke) 

 says that this starch is sold in Benares and eaten by the natives. Dr. Dymock states 

 that it is a favourite article of diet, especially for children, and that the milkmen in 

 Bombay use it to thicken milk which has been watered. 



* References :— Watt, Diet. Econom. Prod., V., 180 ; Atkinson, Econom. Prod., N.-W. Prov., V., 25 ; Bent, and 

 Trimen, Med. PL, 265 ; DC, L'Orig. PI. Cult, 64. 



