West Indian Arrowroot RHIZOMES – Obedience Plant, Bermuda Arrowroot, Araru – Maranta arundinacea

West Indian Arrowroot – Maranta arundinacea is an evergreen easy-to-grow plant. It produces white rhizomes with a pleasant nutty flavour that can be eaten raw, baked, and in stir-fries. The younger tubers are less fibrous and therefore more enjoyable. West Indian Arrowroot is the true arrowroot variety which is commercially used for arrowroot flour production. I have it growing in a few places in the food forest and harvest as required. It is not related to the QLD Arrowroot – Canna Edulis.

Interesting facts about Maranta arundinacea: ” As a soothing agent and treatment for digestive issues, arrowroot is commonly used in folk and Ayurvedic medicine in Sri Lanka and is locally called “Hulankeeriya” or “Aerukka.” Due to its limited availability and time-consuming starch extraction process, The utilization of arrowroot in the food industry is limited and primarily restricted to dishes such as porridge, boiled rhizomes with grated coconut, and curry, but it is a gluten-free alternative to wheat flour that can be used in food preparations [11]. Recently, it was discovered that arrowroot starch could be used in baked goods, ice cream stabilizers, jellies, cakes, and infant food [2,12]. While the potential of this starch in food preparations has not been fully exploited. Due to its excellent digestibility, arrowroot is useful for infants, the elderly, patients with digestive issues, and those with celiac disease [1,13].(Malki et.al. 2023)”

Planting and growing tips:

1. Plant into a larger pot or straight to the ground.
2. Half-shade growing position is best. Expect a few burned leaves if grown in full sun.
3. Watering straight after planting is essential! From then on, regular watering until the plant establishes is highly recommended.
4. It doesn’t like to sit in water so a well-drained position is best. All our edibles grow happily and quickly in slightly raised garden beds.
5. Depending on the growing conditions, The plant will grow and expand very quickly. It may struggle in winter when the temperature falls below 0°C but it will wake up again in spring. Cut all sad-looking leaves near the ground to give more space for the new shoots. Harvest as required.
6. Separating the plant periodically will encourage new growth and new plants can be grown from divided rhizomes.

Additional notes:

• The price is for two rhizomes, similar to the ones in the image, coming from my own plant, naturally grown with love in my permaculture food forest in Pacific Haven QLD Australia. Sending within Australia only. Not to NORFOLK ISLAND, NT, SA, TAS or WA Pick up by appointment only.
• We usually dispatch on Monday to make sure the plant arrives at your place before the weekend.
• Do your research before trying any new foods. Please also note our disclaimer in the footer of this page.

References: Malki, K. S., Wijesinghe, A. C., Ratnayake, M. K., & Thilakarathna, G. C. (2023). Characterization of arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea) starch as a potential starch source for the food industry. Heliyon, 9(9). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20033