Cannaceae

1 gen., mainly trop. and subtrop. S. America

Canna L.

1 species naturalized Aust.; Qld, NSW

*Canna indica L.

Erect, herbaceous perennial 1–1.5 m high with a fleshy rhizome. Leaves broad, pinnately veined, 2-ranked, c. 60 cm long, without ligules or pulvini; base sheathing. Flowers in a terminal raceme or narrow panicle, bisexual, irregular. Sepals 3, free, herbaceous. Petals 3, yellow and red, connate at the base. Stamen 1, petaloid, bearing half an anther on one edge, surrounded by four or fewer petaloid staminodes. Ovary 3-locular, inferior. Fruit a capsule. Seeds black, globular. Introd. from W. Indies, Central and S. America. Fl. spring–summer. Canna or Indian Shot