Indian Shot

(Canna indica)

Indian Shot (Canna indica)

bluefootedbooby

CC BY-SA 2.0

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Estimated Native Range

Summary

Canna indica, commonly known as Indian Shot, is a perennial herb that can reach heights between 0.5 and 2.5 meters (1.5 to 8 feet), with the size varying among cultivars. It is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the New World, including South America, the Caribbean, and Central America, where it thrives in moist and open areas such as riverbanks and clearings. The plant forms branched rhizomes that are divided into bulbous segments and covered in pale green or purple flaky leaves. The rhizomes store large grains of starch, visible to the naked eye. Canna indica produces an upright, unbranched stem, while the overlapping leaf sheaths create a pseudo trunk. The hermaphrodite flowers are zygomorphic and threefold, with three petals that can be green or, depending on the variety, shades of yellow, orange, red to pink, and are quite showy when in bloom.

Indian Shot is valued for its striking flowers and lush foliage, making it a popular choice for tropical-themed gardens, borders, and as a specimen plant. It is also used for its starchy rhizomes in some traditional cuisines. The plant prefers a rich, humus-rich, and light substrate, thriving in deep, well-drained soil with full sun exposure and a pH between 5.5–7.5. Planting should occur at a depth of 10 cm after the last frost. While it can endure dry spells, occasional watering enhances growth. Canna indica is cold-tolerant to -10 °C in mild climates, but foliage may be damaged at 0 °C. Fertilization is crucial for optimal growth, with seedling fertilizer applied during the first tillage and adjusted according to seedling conditions. Even application of fertilizer around the roots promotes uniform growth and water absorption. Potential issues include susceptibility to pests like canna leaf rollers and fungal diseases such as rust. It is potentially invasive when grown outside its native range, so caution is advised.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type:
Height: 1-4 feet
Width: 1-3 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: Orange, Red, Yellow
Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun
Water: Low, Medium
Drainage: Medium

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Hummingbird Garden, Potted Plant, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting, Water Garden

Natural Habitat

Native to tropical and subtropical regions of the New World, including moist and open areas such as riverbanks and clearings

Other Names

Common Names: African Arrowroot , Edible Canna , Purple Arrowroot , Sierra Leone Arrowroot , 美人蕉;白蓮蕉花;白花曇花;紫葉美人蕉;紅花美人蕉

Scientific Names: Canna edulis , Canna indica , Canna patens , Canna lutea , Canna compacta , Canna brasiliensis , Canna speciosa , Canna altensteinii , Canna coccinea , Canna discolor

GBIF Accepted Name: Canna indica L.