Canna Indica: A Guide to Indian Shot Flowers

Canna indica, commonly known as Indian Shot: a perennial herbaceous plant that can grow up to 1.5 meters tall.

The entire plant is green and hairless, covered in a waxy white powder. It has a tuberous rhizome and the branches are densely clustered above ground. Leaves are singular and alternate, with sheath-like petioles; the leaf blades are ovate to oblong.

The inflorescence is cymose, with solitary or paired flowers; the calyx has 3 segments, greenish-white with red tips; the corolla is mostly red, with 2-3 degenerate stamens on the outer wheel, bright red; the labellum is lanceolate and curled; the fruit is a capsule, oblong, green, flowering and fruiting from March to December.

It is a popular ornamental plant in subtropical and tropical regions. It enjoys warm and abundant sunlight, and is not frost-tolerant.

It is not strict about soil requirements, and grows best in loose, fertile, well-drained sandy soil, but can also adapt to fertile clay soil. It is a perennial root herbaceous plant, native to tropical regions such as America, India, and the Malay Peninsula.

I. Morphological characteristics

The entire Canna indica plant is green and can grow up to 1.5 meters tall. The leaf blades are ovate-oblong, 10-30 cm long, and up to 10 cm wide.

The inflorescence is cymose with sparse flowers; slightly higher than the leaf blade; the flowers are red and solitary; the bracts are ovate, green, about 1.2 cm long; the calyx has 3 lanceolate segments, about 1 cm long, green, sometimes red-tinted; the corolla tube is less than 1 cm long, the corolla lobes are lanceolate, 3-3.5 cm long, green or red; the outer wheel has 2-3 degenerate stamens, bright red, two of them are inverted lanceolate, 3.5-4 cm long, 5-7 mm wide, the other one, if it exists, is particularly small, 1.5 cm long, only 1 mm wide; the labellum is lanceolate, 3 cm long, curved; the developed stamen is 2.5 cm long, the anther chamber is 6 mm long; the style is flat, 3 cm long, half of it is fused with the filament of the developed stamen.

The fruit is a green capsule, oblong, softly prickly, 1.2-1.8 cm long. The flowering and fruiting period is from March to December.

II. Distribution

Canna indica is native to America, India, the Malay Peninsula, and other tropical regions. It is distributed in the north and south of mainland China and India, and grows in areas at an altitude of 800 meters.

It has now been artificially introduced and cultivated. It can be cultivated all over the country, but it is not frost-tolerant, and the flowers and leaves wither after frost.

III. Growing environment

It prefers a warm and humid climate, is not frost-tolerant, and grows well between 25-30℃. It loves fertile land with plenty of sunlight.

In its native place, it does not hibernate and grows and blooms all year round; it is robust and adaptable, almost not choosy about the soil, but prefers moist, fertile sandy loam. It is slightly tolerant to wet conditions but fears strong wind.

Planting after frost in April-May, the buds form at the top of the stem after germination, the small flowers bloom from the bottom up, the buds on the rhizomes germinate in succession to form new stems and flowers, continuously blooming from June until before the frost, with a long total flowering period.

The rhizomes can overwinter in the open in areas south of the Yangtze River, but must be artificially protected to overwinter north of the Yangtze River.

It is not frost-tolerant, fears strong wind and frost. It is not strict about soil requirements, can tolerate poor soil, and grows well in fertile, moist, well-drained soil.

After the plant wilts in late autumn, cut off the above-ground part, dig out the rhizomes, air dry for 2-3 days, bury in well-ventilated sandy soil in a greenhouse, do not water, and keep it above 5℃ to safely overwinter.

IV. Plant Culture

The symbolic meaning of the banana flower: A solid future.

According to Buddhist tradition, the banana flower sprang from the blood that flowed from Buddha’s toe. It’s a large flower that blooms in the intense heat of the sun, its presence testament to a strong will to exist.

V. Pest and Disease Control

From May to August each year, it’s important to guard against leaf roller infestations to protect the plant’s tender leaves and flower clusters.

To control these pests, a solution of 50% dimethoate diluted 800 times or a solution of 50% methomyl emulsifiable concentrate diluted 1000 times can be sprayed. Banana plants grown in the ground may occasionally suffer from mole cricket infestations.

These can be manually captured or controlled by pouring a solution of 600-800 times diluted dichlorvos onto the root soil.

VI. Main Value

Applications

The plant’s rhizomes can be used to reduce heat, promote fluid metabolism, relax muscles, and activate collaterals. They are also used to treat jaundice, hepatitis, rheumatism, numbness, external bleeding, bruising, uterine prolapse, and angina.

The fiber from its stems and leaves can be used to make artificial cotton, hemp bags, and rope. The residue from extracting essential oils from the leaves can also be used for papermaking.

Medicinal Use

Rhizome (Banana root): Sweet, bland, and cooling. It can reduce heat, promote fluid metabolism, calm the mind, and lower blood pressure.

It is used to treat jaundice, neurosis, hypertension, chronic diarrhea, hemoptysis, uterine bleeding, leukorrhea, menstrual disorders, sores, and abscesses. Flower (Banana flower): Hemostatic. It is used to treat wounds and other forms of external bleeding.

Gardening

Banana flowers are large, vibrant, and colorful, with an attractive form and easy cultivation. Many excellent varieties have been bred, making them highly prized ornamental plants suitable for pot or ground cultivation and for decorating flower beds.

Environment

Banana plants not only beautify people’s lives but also absorb harmful gases like sulfur dioxide, hydrogen chloride, and carbon dioxide.

They are quite resilient; although their leaves are prone to damage, they quickly grow new leaves and recover after harm. Due to their sensitive reaction to harm, they are often referred to as living monitors of harmful gas pollution in the environment.

They serve to purify the air and protect the environment, making them ideal plants for greening, beautifying, and purifying the environment.