achira
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun 1. A tropical plant (Canna indica) cultivated for its edible rhizomes and ornamental flowers: Achira refers to a species of flowering plant in the genus Canna, known for its large, banana-like leaves and showy blooms. It is primarily grown for its starchy rootstock, which is a source of food and a type of arrowroot starch.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The farmer cultivated a plot of achira for its nutritious rhizomes.
- Arrowroot starch can be processed from the rootstock of the achira plant.
Advanced Usage
- Botanical Context: In botanical and agricultural texts, "achira" is used specifically to refer to and its cultivation for starch production, distinguishing it from ornamental canna varieties grown solely for flowers.
- Historical/Ethnobotanical Context: The term may appear in discussions of traditional Andean agriculture, as achira is native to and has been cultivated in the Americas for centuries.
Variants and Related Words
- Canna (n): The broader genus name for achira and related plants.
- Indian shot (n): A common name for .
- Edible canna (n): A descriptive name highlighting the plant's food use.
- Arrowroot (n): A general term for starches derived from various rhizomes, including that of achira. (Note: "Achira starch" is a specific type of arrowroot.)
Synonyms
- Canna indica (n): The botanical Latin name.
- Queensland arrowroot (n): A regional name used in some areas.
Notes on Meaning
The word "achira" has a very specific meaning, referring almost exclusively to the plant Canna indica in the context of its cultivation as a food crop. It is not a common word in general English but is standard in botanical, agricultural, and ethnobotanical vocabulary. It does not have idiomatic or phrasal verb uses.
Noun
- canna grown especially for its edible rootstock from which arrowroot starch is obtained