The medicinal plants of Myanmar Author DeFilipps, Robert A. Deceased Author Krupnick, Gary A. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1357-4826 Department of Botany, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, PO Box 37012, MRC- 166, Washington, DC, 20013 - 7012, USA krupnick@si.edu text PhytoKeys 2018 2018-06-28 102 1 341 http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.102.24380 journal article http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.102.24380 1314-2003-102-1 AA226A35FFF8FFBC37621A40C2518C67 1306325 Maranta arundinacea L. Names. Myanmar : taung-sun , thinbaw-adalut . English : American arrowroot, arrowroot, maranta. Range. Tropical America; now pantropic in distribution. Cultivated in Myanmar. Use. Stem : Rhizome used as a rubefacient; yields arrowroot. Notes. The rhizome, rich in starch, serves as a food for invalids. It is also used as an emollient, for diseases of the urinary tract, and for bowel complaints ( Perry 1980 ). Medicinal uses of this species in India are discussed in Jain and DeFilipps (1991) . Details of the active chemical compounds, effects, herbal usage, and pharmacological literature of this plant are given in Fleming (2000) . Worldwide medicinal usage, chemical composition and toxicity of this species are discussed by Duke (1986) . Reference. Nordal (1963) .