Canna

Jun, Jul, Aug

Herb/Forb, Bulb, Perennial

Perennial, Bulb

Gladiolus-like flowers that bloom atop erect stems sheathed in large paddle-shaped leaves. What appears to be the petals are actually modified stamens. Available in many colors: rose, pink, red, yellow, orange, salmon, and bicolored. Terminal, bracteated raceme. Asymmetrical, bold carotenoid pigments of red to orange to yellow; sepals 3, short, glaucous. petals 3, narrow, united into a basal tube; staminodes (petal-like stamens) 4, three broadly obovate overtopping petals, showy, one with remenant of anther sac or minute lobe; stamens 1, petaloid with solitary marginal anther. Typically blooms from July to October.

A 3-valved, prickly capsule, often warted. Many rounded seeds with very hard endosperm.