CANNA, a genus of plants belonging to the natural order Masan lacecr. It has spathaceous flowers, simple anthers attached to the edge of a petal-like filament, an inferior ovary, thick club-shaped erect free style, a linear obtuse stigma. There are several species of this Femur, all of which are known by the name of Indian Shot. They are Inhabitants of South America and of the East Indies.
a Indica, has the inner limb of the corolla trifid, the' segments lanceolate, acuminate, straight. This species, with C. patens and C. coccinea, are common plants within the tropics ou all the conti nents. In America and Brazil they are known by the common name of Wild Plantains. Their leaves are large and tough, and are mostly chosen for forming envelopes for articles of commerce. Hence the French call these plants Balisiers. The seeds Of most of the species are round, black, shining, hard, heavy, and about the sixteenth of an inch in diameter, resembling shot, for which they are sometimes used as a substitute. They are roasted and employed in infusion in tho same manner as coffee. They yield also a purple dye.
C. edulis has smooth leaves and stems coloured at the base, the roots tuberous and large, the middle segment of the corolla very short. This is one of the species of the order the rootstock of which is used for making arrowroot. Nearly all the species contain starch in the rootstock, which renders them fit to be used as food after being cooked. The starch is separated by tearing the rootstock in pieces and submitting it to the action of water. The water with the starch suspended is poured off from the ligneous portion of the rootstock, and the starch is afterwards allowed to subside. Cluaius says that the C. lutea grows iu the open air in Spain and Portugal, and that the inhabitants of those countries use the seeds for making rosaries.
Many of the species will bear the open air in the summer in this country. They require a light rich soil, and may be increased by dividing the roots or by sowing the seed. They should be planted out in a warm border early in the summer.
(Loudon, Encyclopaedia of Plants.)