Guinea arrowroot
It is a tropical plant. It requires a hot, even temperature. It does best with temperatures between 25-30°C. It needs a moderate rainfall. (1500-2000 mm). When there is plenty of humidity, nutrients and good soil drainage, plants do best in full sunlight. It is often grown in shade. They need soils rich in organic matter. In SE Asia it probably grows up to 600 m altitude. In Guatemala it grows to 1,400 m above sea level. Brisbane Botanical Gardens.
Also known as:
Agua bendita, Allelouia, Alleluia, Aria, Chufle, Cocurito, Curcuma d'Amerique, Dale dale, Dali dali, Guinea arrowroot, Lairem, Laren, Leren, Lerenes, Lleren, Sweet corn root, Sweet corn tuber, Sweet-corm-root, Topee Tambu, Topi-tambu, Topinambour
Synonyms
- Maranta allouia Aubl.
- Phrynium allouia Aubl.
- Also as Allouya americana (Lamk.)
- Curcuma americana Lamk.
Edible Portion
- Tubers, Root, Flowers, Leaves - flavour, Vegetable
Where does Guinea arrowroot grow?
Found in: Africa, Amazon, Antilles, Asia, Australia, Belize, Brazil, Caribbean, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guiana, Guyana, Haiti, Hispaniola, Honduras, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Martinique, Mexico, Nicaragua, North Africa, North America, Pacific, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, South America, Sri Lanka, St Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Trinidad, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Indies
Notes: Tubers are 6.6% protein on a dry matter basis. There are 260-300 Calathea species in tropical America.
Status: It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. They are sold in street markets.
Growing Guinea arrowroot
Cultivation: Plants are grown from rhizomes, suckers or offshoots. Plants only occasionally flower and do not produce viable seed. The tuberous roots are stored in a coo, dry place until they are transplanted. Plants are spaced about 0.5 m apart. The rhizomes produce about 20 shoots around them.
Edible Uses: The tubers are cooked and eaten. It is used in salads, stews and fish dishes. Young flower clusters are cooked and eaten. The leaves are used to wrap food to add flavour.
Production: A crop of tubers is ready 10-12 months after planting. Yields of 10 tonnes per hectare are possible. Yields per plant vary between 100 and 2,200 g.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portion| Edible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flowers | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Leaves - Flower | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Guinea arrowroot Photos
References
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INFOODSUpdatedFGU-list.xls
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