Maranta
Maranta , proper noun
[New Latin]
(Botany) A genus of endogenous plants found in tropical America, and some species also in India. They have tuberous roots containing a large amount of starch, and from one species (Maranta arundinacea, the American arrowroot or obedience plant) arrowroot (arrowroot starch) is obtained. Many kinds are cultivated for ornament.