Canna Lily

Common Name: Swamp Lily, Water Canna, Alligator Flag, Fire Flag, Red Stemmed Thalia
Scientific Name: Thalia geniculata
Family: Marantaceae
Genus: Thalia

General Facts:

• It grows in wet habitats like ponds, swamps, marshes, and along stream banks.
• It has the widest distribution among the species of Marantaceae.
• It is closely related to the ginger family.
• It is considered as weed in some areas because of its tendency to form dense stands in waterways. These dense stands choke out native plants and animals. It can also severely restrict water flow, thereby increasing the likelihood of flooding in infested waterways.
• Its stem can grow up to 2.5 meters long.
• Its fruits are eaten by ducks.
• Its pollination is helped by carpenter bees.

Common Name: Water Canna, Canna Lily, Swamp Lily, Indian Shot
Scientific Name: Canna generalis

Family: Cannaceae

Genus: Canna

General Facts:

• It looks like banana trees without the trunk. This is because it is still a kin to bananas and gingers.


• Its flowers are asymmetrical. It has three petals, three speals, and three highly modified showy petal-like stamens.


• Its flowers are followed by a capsule with round, shotlike seeds.


• It grows easily on a wet area. Some Cannas can be grown in water containers. It can even grow in moderately polluted wetlands.


• It commonly dies during cold months. But it will leaf out and bloom again during warmer months.


• There are nine species grouped under this general scientific name. One of its species known as Canna edulis has edible root and is the source of arrowroot starch.