1363.000 Canna L.

Perennial herbs from rhizomes; aerial stems present, unbranched. Leaves cauline, 2-ranked, differentiated into basal sheath, petiole and lamina; sheaths overlapping, supporting stem. Inflorescences 1 per aerial shoot, terminal on a leafy shoot; pedunculate racemes or panicles of flowers or monochasial cymes; bracts of main axis subtending flowers. Flowers asymmetric; sepals and petals differentiated, sepals 3 distinct, petals 3 basally connate. Fruit a capsule; sepals persistent in fruit. Seeds without aril.

Derivation of name: Latin name for a reed or cane

Worldwide: 8-10 species in tropical America

Zambia: 1 cultivated taxon.