Canna glauca, commonly called water canna, is native to wetlands and river margins of tropical and subtropical regions in the Americas, with natural distribution from the southern United States through Central America to northern Argentina. It is a perennial aquatic or semi-aquatic species that can reach heights of 3–6 ft, adapted to shallow standing water or consistently saturated soils, and is capable of forming dense stands in its natural habitat. In several countries it is used in constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment due to its ability to thrive in nutrient-rich conditions and aid in phytoremediation. The flowers are borne on tall, upright stalks and are typically red, orange, or yellow depending on the population or cultivar, with the petals (actually staminodes) narrow and slightly twisted, creating an open, delicate form distinct from the broader-petaled hybrid cannas. Each bloom measures about 2–3 in long and is produced in succession from a terminal cluster of buds, ensuring a prolonged display during warm months. The foliage is glaucous (blue-green), giving the species its name, and the broad leaves rise well above the water surface, providing a lush backdrop to the bright flowers. Canna glauca is also valued as a parent in hybridization programs, contributing traits of water tolerance and leaf coloration to modern ornamental canna hybrids. Photographed in Florida.