Canna indica

Queensland, Arrowroot, Achira, Indian shot, Canna Lily

Spiritual Message by the Mother/ Quotes by Sri Aurobindo

And finally, the best friend one can have—isn't he the Divine, to whom one can say everything, reveal everything? For there indeed is the source of all compassion, of all power to efface every error when it is not repeated, to open the road to true realisation; it is he who can understand all, heal all, and always help on the path, help you not to fail, not to falter, not to fall, but to walk straight to the goal. He is the true friend, the friend of good and bad days, the one who can understand, can heal, and who is always there when you need him. When you call him sincerely, he is always there to guide and uphold you—and to love you in the true way.

The Mother, Questions and Answers 1957 - 1958: 13 March 1957

Varieties

Message of the Flower

Friendship with the Divine

The Mother’s Comment

Delicate, attentive, and faithful, always ready to respond to the smallest appeal.

Colour

Red, yellow

Message of the Flower

Progressive Friendship with the Divine

The Mother’s Comment

As we progress and purify ourselves of our egoism, our friendship with the Divine becomes clearer and more conscious.

Colour

Bright reddish-orange, yellow

Message of the Flower

Supramental Friendship with the Divine

The Mother’s Comment

Luminous and light, always smiling.

Colour

Bright yellow

Family

Cannacceae

Cultivars

Numerous, including 'Tropicanna', 'Pretoria', 'Red King Humbert'

Person who named the flower

Carl Linnaeus

Flower Size

Generally large, conspicuous

Flower Texture

Soft, sometimes slightly waxy

Number of Petals

3 petals and 3 petal-like sepals

Floral Symmetry

Bilaterally symmetrical

Fragrance of Flower

Mild to no scent

Leaf Texture

Smooth, sometimes waxy

Leaf Arrangement

Alternate

Leaf Color

Green, with some cultivars having variegated or purplish leaves

Structural Variation (Shrub or Tree)

Herbaceous perennial

Life Cycle

Perennial in warm climates, often grown as annuals in cooler areas

Blooming Period

Summer to fall

Climate

Tropical to subtropical, but can be grown in temperate areas with summer planting

Water Requirements

Moderate to high

Soil Type

Prefers rich, well-draining soil

Temperature Ranges

Warm climates; not frost-tolerant

Sun or Shade

Full sun to partial shade

Susceptibility to Insects and Diseases

Susceptible to canna leaf roller and some fungal diseases

Pollinators

Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds

Habitat

Native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, widely cultivated elsewhere

Role in the Ecosystem

Provides nectar for pollinators

Ornamental

Widely used in landscaping for its colorful flowers and foliage

Uses in Other Aspects of Life

Primarily ornamental and culinary in some regions

Endangered Status

Not considered endangered; widely cultivated