SafePlants

East Indian Arrowroot

This page provides information about the plant commonly known as East Indian Arrowroot.

Common Names

• East Indian Arrowroot
• Bombay Arrowroot
• Narrow-leaved Turmeric
• Tikhur (Hindi: &#2340&#2367&#2326&#2369&#2352)
• Keturi halodhi (Bengali)
• Yaipan (Manipuri: &#2479&#2492&#2494&#2439&#2474&#2472)
• Tavakeera (Marathi)
• Manja Koova (&#3374&#3358&#3405&#3358 &#3349&#3394&#3381)
• Kaadu arrow root (Kannada)
• Kovegida (Kannada)
• Kove hitting gida (Kannada)

Scientific Name

• Curcuma angustifolia

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Botanical Name: Curcuma angustifolia
• Synonyms:
  • Indian Arrowroot
  • Maranta indica
  • Maranta ramosissima
  • Maranta Starch or Arrowroot
  • East or West Indian Arrowroot
  • Araruta
  • Bermuda Arrowroot
• Belongs to the Zingiberaceae (ginger family).

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to the Indian subcontinent.
• Also found in the Eastern Himalayas.
• Inhabits bright, open hillsides.
• Found in East Indies, Polynesia and Australia

Morphological Characteristics

• A perennial plant growing to around 45cm tall.
• Rhizomatous herb.
• Flowering plant with small, spiked inflorescences.
• Has stout underground rhizomes.

Uses

• Medicinal plant.
• Roots provide easily digestible starch.
• Used for the production of biscuits and health drinks.
• Cultivated for its edible root, especially in tropical areas.
• Tubers are an important source of starch, particularly in times of food scarcity.
• Used to treat gangrene.
• Cures nausea.
• Considered a healthy diet for babies.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Used by the women of Rajbansi ethnic group in North Bengal.