Orange Canna indica flowers have narrow upright and curling lobes along a branching purplish stalk with pointed unopened buds

Canna indica (Indian Shot)

Native to tropical and subtropical America, this perennial herb spreads by thick underground rhizomes and commonly grows about 3 to 6 feet tall. Large leaves sheath its upright stems, and clusters of red to orange flowers have showy parts formed mainly from modified stamens. Rounded, softly spiny capsules contain very hard black seeds, which have been used as beads and give it the name Indian shot. Cultivated food forms provide starchy rhizomes that are cooked or processed into flour. It is invasive in New Zealand, where dense stands displace native vegetation. Photographed in Bogotá, Colombia.

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Red Canna indica flowers have narrow upright lobes and curled lower lobes beside pointed purplish buds on a dark stem

A red Canna indica flower has a narrow upright lobe and a curled lower lobe marked with yellow and red spots beside purplish buds

Red Canna indica flowers form a tall cluster with upright and curling lobes beside pointed purple buds, with another flowering stalk behind

Red Canna indica flowers have long upright lobes and curved lower lobes with yellow streaks beside slender purplish buds

Two red Canna indica flowers have long upright lobes and curled lower lobes beside sharply pointed purplish buds

A red Canna indica flower has spreading lobes and pale pollen near its center beside a green stem and a reddish leaf sheath

A branching Canna indica stalk carries red flowers, pointed purplish buds, and dried flower remains against blue sky and white clouds

Two orange Canna indica flowers have spreading lobes and pale pollen on a curved purplish stalk with unopened buds

A red Canna indica flower opens beside slender purplish buds, with two softly spiny green capsules behind it