pronounced: kan-NAY-see-eye
Cannaceae is derived from the Celtic word for a cane or reed. Canna is the only genus in this family of tropical herbs from south-eastern North America through to South America. The plants grow from rhizomes, with erect stems growing up to 3 m tall. The leaves are spirally arranged, and may be green or bronze. The flowers are asymmetrical, with one half-functional stamen and a labellum. Two or three of what appear to be petals are actually staminodes, and there are also 3 regular petals. The fruit is a capsule.
