return to: checklist; family Cannaceae; keys
Robust
monocot herb; leaves alternate, simple, petiolate, ovate to elliptic,
base cuneate to obtuse, margin entire, apex abruptly acuminate';
inflorescence terminal, several flowered; flowers bright red,
of irregular symmetry; fruits capsular, fruit surface minutely
muricate..
Additional images:
According to Flora of North America, the round black seeds seeds have been used as rosary beads and placed in hollow gourds to form rattles. The starchy rhizomes yield a form of edible arrowroot (as implied by the synonym "C. edulis". Both rhizomes and leaves have been employed medicinally.
