ABSTRACT
East Indian arrowroot has a paleotropic origin from Western Africa to Southeast Asia, mainly Malaysia, where it gives flowers and fruits year round. East Indian arrowroot, also known as Polynesian arrowroot and tacca plant, is a large perennial deciduous herb with tuberous tubers, which are the primary and economic produce of this herb. East Indian arrowroot tubers are well recognized as a good source of carbohydrates and minerals, especially calcium, but known to have only a small amount of protein and no vitamins. The East Indian arrowroot tubers were formerly used as a staple and famine food in parts of West Africa and as a source of starch in the Pacific area. East Indian arrowroot is often used in traditional medicines in the Pacific Islands. East Indian Arrowroot can be grown on a wide range of soils. East Indian arrowroot usually requires a high amount of organic matter in soil.
