- 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. - 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.
Definition
[ n.]