Arrowroot

n. type of tropical American plant

Arrowroot, or obedience plant, (Maranta arundinacea) is a large perennial herb of genus Maranta found in rainforest habitats. Arrowroot is also the name for the easy-to-digest starch from the rhizomes (rootstock) of West Indian arrowroot. This plant should not be confused with Sagittaria species sometimes called "arrowhead" and used as a root vegetable nor arrowweed, which also has edible roots.
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Noun
1. a nutritive starch obtained from the root of the arrowroot plant
(hypernym) starch, amylum
2. white-flowered West Indian plant whose root yields arrowroot starch
(synonym) American arrowroot, obedience plant, Maranta arundinaceae
(hypernym) maranta
3. canna grown especially for its edible rootstock from which arrowroot starch is obtained
(synonym) achira, indian shot, Canna indica, Canna edulis
(hypernym) canna

n. arrowroot, type of tropical American plant

(n.)
A west Indian plant of the genus Maranta, esp. M. arundinacea, now cultivated in many hot countries. It said that the Indians used the roots to neutralize the venom in wounds made by poisoned arrows.
  

(n.)
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.