Canna tuerckheimii
Kranzl.
Large-leaved canna lily
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Summary
Source: WikipediaCanna tuerckheimii is a species of the Canna genus, belonging to the family Cannaceae. Its specific epithet tuerckheimii commemorates Hans von Türckheim, a 19th-century German plant collector.
Description
A tropical herb in the canna lily family with edible rhizomes and roots rich in starch.
This description is brief — help expand it
Edible Uses
Rhizomes and roots are eaten for their starch content.
Medicinal Uses
The fresh bark of the roots is used as a diaphoretic and diuretic. The rhizome is used.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant.
Where It Grows
South America,
Cultivation
Requires a deep rich well-drained soil in a sunny position. The plant has large leaves and dislikes windy conditions since this can tear the leaves to shreds. Plants are fast-growing, and can produce a flowering shoot in their first year of growth from seed. Slugs love the young growth in spring and can cause serious damage to plants.
Propagation
Seed - the different species in this genus often hybridize and so seed cannot be relied upon to breed true. If growing from seed, pre-soak for 24 hours in warm water and sow in the seeds 2 - 5cm deep in individual pots in light shade at 20°c. Scarifying the seed by carefully removing a small part of the outer shell (being careful not to harm the seed itself), to enable it to imbibe water can speed germination, especially if the seed has not swollen after being soaked. The seed usually germinates in 3 - 9 weeks. Grow the plants on until large enough to plant out. Division of the root clump as the plant comes into growth. Each portion must have at least one growing point. Pot up the divisions and grow them on until they are well established and then plant them out. Root cuttings.
Synonyms
References (2)
- Romanowski, N., 2007, Edible Water Gardens. Hyland House. p 83 (As Canna latifolia)
- www.theplantlist.org
