Canna family
Description
A small monocotyledonous and monotypic family of New World origin and confined to tropical and warmer regions, related to the Family Maranthaceae and Family Zingiberaceae (Cannaceae 1).
The plants are robust erect perennial herbs, often with rhizomes. The leaves are large, alternate, broad and entire with a distinct midrib. The inflorescence is terminal, showy. Flowers large and brightly coloured, zygomorphic, with 3 sepals and 3 petals. The stamens are the most conspicuous part of the flower, usually with 3 outer sterile ones, 2 inner sterile ones that form the lip, and one fertile one. The ovary is 3-locular and inferior. The fruit is a capsule with many rounded and very hard seeds.
Use
Canna is cultivated for its edible rhizomes.
Described species
Canna edulis, Queensland arrowroot or achira