Arrowroot

Description:

This plant is commonly known as Indian shot, African arrowroot, edible canna, purple arrowroot, is a perennial flowering plant of the family Cannaceae. It shows large and broad leaves at the basis, while the flower stems can grow up to 2m high, producing strikingly red blossoms. The plant produce large, up to 60cm large rhizomes, edible and appreciated as source of starch.

Habitat:

Canna genus is native to tropical and subtropical belt, and this species to american continents. It became naturalized in hotter parts of Europe as well as sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Oceania. It is an invasive species and often considered as a pest, because it is difficult to get rid of it.

Notes:

This is an edible plant, producing large rhizomes rich in starch. They can be eaten raw, but are usually baked; when cooked, the rhizomes become translucent, mucilaginous, and sweet. Starch is produced by grinding or pounding the roots and soaking them in water, separating the starch granules from fibers in the roots. The starch is occasionally marketed commercially as "arrowroot" (but this name is also in use when commercializing starches from other species as well). It was widely used as source of starch in 19th century cooking.