Northern Queensland Permaculture

Earth Care, People Care, Fair Share

Canna Edulis

Botanical Information

Botanical Information
Order Zingiberales
Family Cannaceae
Genus Canna
Common Name Canna Edulis
Species C. indica

Maturity days

Planting Months

Planting months
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
X X X X X X X X

Permaculture uses

Permaculture uses
Usage 1 Usage 2 Usage 3
Pioneer Chop_&_Drop Starch

Growing condition comments

Growing Condition Comment
Drought Tolerant Yes
Humidity tolerant Yes
Planting area Ground
Sunlight Full_sun

Photos

Photos

Short comments

Edible starchy tubers, like potatos. Edible leaves (animals). Hardy. Chop&drop mulch leaves.

General comments

An edible Canna similar in appearance to its close relative the ornamental Cannas. Another of the Ancient Inca food crops, it was one of the first plants to have been domesticated in the Andean region. A popular crop in the market place in Peru and Ecuador.

The large round red rhizomes can be eaten raw, cooked as you would a potato or used as a flour and thickening agent. Excellent carbohydrate, the starch is easily digested. The young shoots can also be eaten as a green vegetable. The plant is easy to plant, to grow and to harvest. While the tubers multiply prolifically in deep rich friable soil, they are the most hardy of all the tuber crops and grow well in soils where most other tubers will not grow.

Has few problems with pests and diseases. Can be harvested after 6 months and tolerates heat well.

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