Achira, Indian shot

Canna edulis

Physical Characteristics

Canna edulis is a PERENNIAL growing to 3 m (9ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is frost tender. It is in flower from August to October, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Distribution

S. America. W. Indies.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Cultivated Beds; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Root Seed Shoots Edible Uses: Root - raw or cooked[2, 22, 196]. It is the source of 'canna starch' which is used as an arrowroot[1, 46, 171, 183]. The arrowroot is obtained by rasping the root to a pulp, then washing and straining to get rid of the fibres[2]. This starch is very digestible[196]. The very young tubers can also be eaten cooked[61, 105, 142, 177], they are sweet but fibrousy[97, K]. The root can be very large, sometimes as long as a person's forearm[196]. In Peru the roots are baked for up to 12 hours by which time they become a white, translucent, fibrous and somewhat mucilaginous mass with a sweetish taste[183, 196]. The starch is in very large grains, about three times the size of potato starch grains, and can be seen with the naked eye[183, 196]. This starch is easily separated from the fibre of the root[196]. The roots contain about 25% starch[61]. The dry matter contains about 75 - 80% starch, 6 - 14% sugar, 1 - 3% protein, it is high in potassium, low in calcium and phosphorus[196]. Young shoots - cooked and eaten as a green vegetable[183, 196]. Quite nutritious, containing at least 10% protein[196]. The immature seeds are cooked in fat tortillas[183].

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

None known