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(Last Modified On 10/29/2012)
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(Last Modified On 10/29/2012)
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Species
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MARANTA ARUNDINACEA L.
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PlaceOfPublication
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Sp. P1. 2. 1753.
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Synonym
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Maranta silvatica Rosc. in Trans. Linn. Soc. 8:340. 1807. Maranta indica Tuss. Fl. Antil. 1:183. pl. 26. 1808. Maranta protracta Miq. in Linnaea 18:71. 1844.
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Description
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Rather weak, diffusely branching herbs 4-8 dm. tall, essentially glabrous throughout; leaves both basal and cauline, ovate to ovate-lanceolate, rather gradually acute to acuminate, base broadly obtuse, 10-20 cm. long, 3-8 cm. broad; petiole 1.0-1.5 cm. long, wholly callous; sheaths very narrow, 5-10 cm. long; inflorescence diffusely branching, the rachis rather distantly flexuous, several- to many-flowered; bracts caducous, oblong, obviously leafless sheaths, 2-4 cm. long; pedicels 0.5-1.5 cm. long; sepals ovate-lanceolate, 1.0-1.5 cm. long, per- sistent and accrescent in fruit; perianth (including the staminodia) about 2 cm. long, white; fruits nut-like, ellipsoid, about 1 cm. long.
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Distribution
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Very widely distributed throughout all tropical America, possibly indigenous to Central and northern South America. Frequently encountered in thickets and waste places.
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Specimen
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CANAL ZONE: Ancon Hill, Woodsot, Allen & Seibert 1317; Balboa, Standley 26486; Miraflores, Pittier 3964. CHIRIQUI: upper Rio Chiriqui Viejo, Seibert 405. PANAMA: Isla Taboga, Woodson, Allen & Seibert 1438; between Panama and Chepo, Dodge, Hunter, Steyermark & Allen 16665; Matias Hernandez, Standley 28965.
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Note
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Arrowroot starch, used by laundresses, is obtained from the tuberous rootstock of this plant, known in some localities as Sigui.
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