Sweetcorn Root, Guinea Arrowroot

Calathea allouia

Physical Characteristics

Calathea allouia is an evergreen Perennial growing to 2 m (6ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

S. America, north to Mexico and the Caribbean.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Root Edible Uses: Edible portion: Tubers, Root, Flowers, Leaves - flavour, Vegetable. Root - cooked[ 46 ]. Rich in starch[ 317 ]. The crisp cooked tubers are very agreeable with a flavour like sweetcorn[ 301 ]. It is used in salads, stews and fish dishes. Their unique texture makes them a gourmet item[ 301 ]. Used in similar ways to potatoes[ 200 ]. A commercially cultivated vegetable. The tubers are 2 - 8cm long and 2 - 4cm in diameter[ 418 ]. Young tender flower spikes - cooked[ 301 , 331 ]. The leaves are used for wrapping tamales and other foods, to which they impart flavour[ 301 , 331 ]. Tubers are 6.6% protein on a dry matter basis.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

None known