any of a genus (Maranta) of plants of the arrowroot family, esp. a variety (M. leuconeura kerchoveana) with spotted red leaves
See maranta in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
Any of several tropical American plants of the genus Maranta, including the arrowroot, having thin, ovate, usually spotted leaves and irregular flowers.
An edible starch made from these plants.
Origin:
Origin: After Bartolomeo Maranta (died 1571), Italian herbalist