canna

Any of the tropical herbaceous plants that make up the family Cannaceae, of the ginger order (Zingiberales), containing a single genus with about 19 species, found from southeastern North America through South America. Cannas have rhizomes with erect stems growing to 10 ft (3 m) high. The green or bronze leaves are spirally arranged. The flowers are asymmetrical. Spotted variations of the scarlet, red-orange, or yellow flowers sometimes occur. The genus is widely grown for ornamental use. , from Peru, has edible, starchy rhizomes.

Find more information on canna. Upgrade to Britannica Online for more on canna.