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 Ma·ran·ta prop. n.  Bot. 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.
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 Ar·row·root n.
 1. Bot. A white-flowered west Indian plant of the genus Maranta, esp. Maranta arundinacea, now cultivated in many hot countries.  Its root yields arrowroot starch.  It said that the Indians used the roots to neutralize the venom in wounds made by poisoned arrows.
 Syn: -- arrowroot, American arrowroot, obedience plant.
 2. A nutritive starch obtained from the rootstocks of Maranta arundinacea, and used as food, esp. for children an invalids; also, a similar starch obtained from other plants, as various species of Maranta and Curcuma.
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