Arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea)
Versatile and Nutritious Starch Source
Common Names: Arrowroot, West Indian Arrowroot, Obedience Plant
Family: Marantaceae
Origin: Central and South America, Caribbean
Arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea) is a perennial herb known for its edible rhizomes, which are the source of the fine, easily digestible arrowroot starch. Native to Central and South America, Arrowroot has been used for centuries as a food thickener, dietary staple, and natural remedy. The starch extracted from the rhizomes is gluten-free, making it a popular alternative to wheat flour for thickening sauces, soups, and desserts. Arrowroot is a hardy, low-maintenance plant that grows well in tropical and subtropical climates, making it a valuable addition to gardens focused on both ornamental and practical uses.
Distinctive Features, Uses, and Nutritional Value
Rhizomes: Arrowroot's arrow-shaped rhizomes are tuberous and starchy, serving as the source of the plant’s famous arrowroot starch. The starch is highly digestible and gluten-free, making it ideal for those with dietary sensitivities. It is commonly used as a thickening agent in cooking. It is a low-temperature friendly starch and can also be boiled down alone to create a jelly. Its roots are peeled and grated into water where it’s dried after several rinses and made into a powder flour. The creeping rootstalk tubers are perfect for cultivating thicker textures in sauces, soups and so on.
Foliage: The plant has large, bright green, lance-shaped leaves that grow upright, making it both attractive and functional in garden landscapes.
Growth Habit: Arrowroot grows as a clump-forming herbaceous perennial, reaching 3-5 feet tall. The plant spreads via underground rhizomes and can be grown in containers or garden beds. It takes a bit of patience to grow, requiring up to 12 months of humid weather to squeeze as much starch as it can, but it’s worth the wait! Arrowroot has been growing in use because of its easy to digest characteristics.
Culinary and Medicinal Uses
Arrowroot starch is highly valued for its culinary versatility, especially as a gluten-free thickening agent for soups, sauces, gravies, and desserts. It is also used in baking and as a substitute for cornstarch. Arrowroot’s neutral flavor and clear consistency make it ideal for delicate dishes.
Medicinally, arrowroot has been traditionally used to treat digestive disorders, soothe upset stomachs, and aid in wound healing due to its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. It is also used in skincare to absorb moisture and as a base in natural cosmetics.