Bot. [mod.L. a. Malay.] Name of a small genus of tropical herbs with tuberous roots, the type of a natural order Taccaceæ. The tubers of T. pinnatifida yield the starch known as South-sea arrow-root.
1866. Treas. Bot., 1119/1. Tacca chiefly differs from its ally Ataccia in having a one-celled instead of a three-celled fruit.
Hence Taccad, any plant of the N.O. Taccaceæ.
1846. Lindley, Veg. Kingd., 149. Order xliii. Taccaceæ.—Taccads.
1855. E. Smith, Bot., in Orr’s Circ. Sc., 187. Narcissales … (N.O.) 43 Taccaceæ or Taccads.
