arrowroot

1. (countable, uncountable) Maranta arundinacea from the Marantaceae family, a large perennial herb native to the Caribbean area with green leaves about 15 centimeters long.
2. (countable, uncountable) Usually preceded by an attributive word: some other plant whose rhizomes are used to prepare a substance similar to arrowroot (sense 3), such as Zamia integrifolia (Florida arrowroot) or Pueraria montana var. lobata (Japanese arrowroot or kudzu).
3. (uncountable) A starchy substance obtained from the rhizomes of an arrowroot plant used as a thickener.
4. (countable, uncountable) Other plants with similar appearance or properties, such as common yarrow (Achillea millefolium)|

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈæɹə(ʊ)ɹuːt/

Etymology

From Lokono aru-aru (literally “meal of meals”), influenced by arrow + root because the plant’s “roots” (more accurately rhizomes) are used on wounds from poison darts to absorb the poison.

Synonyms

indian shot

obedience plant

Canna edulis

Canna indica

American arrowroot

Maranta arundinaceae

achira

phrynium

maranta

flour