- Edible starch - Starchy tropical rhizomes; semi sweet dry biscuit - 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.
- From which woody shrub with edible roots is tapioca derived? - Source of tapioca - A shrubby euphorbiaceous plant of the genus Manihot, with
fleshy rootstocks yielding an edible starch; -- called also manioc. - A nutritious starch obtained from the rootstocks of the
cassava plant, used as food and in making tapioca.
- A kind of starch with very large, oval, flattened
grains, often sold as arrowroot, and extensively used for adulterating
cocoa. It is made from the rootstocks of a species of Canna, probably
C. edulis, the tubers of which are edible every month in the year.