Queensland Arrowroot, Edible Canna,

Description:

An extremely hardy perennial to 2 metres tall, shooting from a large purple/red, round rhizome/tuber that can be larger than a clasped fist. Tubers develop side shoots, forming a large mass of tubers that can be 60cm in diameter and weigh over 20kg. Fleshy stalks, up to 1 metre long, shoot from eyes on the rhizome, and large, lush bright green leaves, 30-90cm long unfurl on thick stalks. Typical canna-shaped red flowers, but they are not as large as canna varieties that are grown as ornamentals. If planted in rich soil and given regular watering, this plant will grow vigorously, producing lush leaves and stalks and high yields of edible tubers, However, arrowroot will also perform well in poor soils, and dry conditions, and for this reason we should learn to value it as a versatile survival food. I encourage every garden to grow arrowroot, for an all year around food source.