maranta

Any of several tropical American plants of the genus Maranta, including the arrowroot, having thin, ovate, usually spotted leaves and irregular flowers.

An edible starch made from these plants.

A genus of monocotyledonous plants of the natural order Zingiberaceœ, type of the tribe Maranteœ.

[lowercase] A plant of this genus.

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.

any of numerous herbs of the genus Maranta having tuberous starchy roots and large sheathing leaves