maranta

2 definitions found

maranta - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Maranta \Ma*ran"ta\, prop. n. [NL.] (Bot.)
     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.
     [1913 Webster]

maranta - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  maranta
      n 1: any of numerous herbs of the genus Maranta having tuberous
           starchy roots and large sheathing leaves