Cannaceae

Canna indica

Common Names: Canna lily

Plant Form: Perennial erect robust herb. Size: Up to 3.5 m tall. Stem: Fleshy, upright, hairless, green but often purple tinged. Leaves: Very large spreading blade 20-60 cm long, oval shaped with pointed tip. Hairless with smooth edges. With thin false petals. The real petals are fused at the base. Flowers: Showy red, yellow, or both. Singular or in pairs and arranged in larger branched clusters of 6-20. Fruit and Seeds: Papery capsules 1.5-3 cm across, almost rounded in shape, splitting open to release numerous smooth black spherical or egg-shaped seeds. Habitat: Riparian areas, wetlands, old gardens, disturbed areas, waste areas. Distinguishing Features: False petals are thinner than in garden cannas (Canna hybrid species).