Louisiana Canna, Maraca amarilla

Canna glauca

Physical Characteristics

Canna glauca is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 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. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

S. America. W. Indies.

Habitats

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

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Root Edible Uses: Root - cooked. The starch can be extracted and used as an arrowroot[2, 46, 61]. The arrowroot is obtained by rasping the root to a pulp, then washing and straining to get rid of the fibres[2]. Very young tubers can be eaten cooked, they are sweet but fibrousy. One report suggests that the fruit may be edible but gives no further details[177]. As far as I know the fruit is a dry capsule[K].

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

None known