Topitambo

topitambo (or lerén or sweet corn-root) common names for Calathea allouia, a close relation in the family Marantaceae of the W. Indian arrowroot plant. The boiled tubers, like small ovoid potatoes in appearance, have a crisp and unusual texture (provided that care is taken not to overcook them, when they would quickly turn to mush). They have some similarity to the jerusalem artichoke (or topinambour, a name with which topitambo is confused or for which it is substituted in some places); but the plants are not closely related.