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cana de India
Scientific Name: Costus guanaiensis var. macrostrobilus
Family: Costaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth: Subshrub, Shrub, Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Costus allenii & Canna indica: A Detailed Look
This page provides information about two plants referenced as "Caa de la India": Costus allenii and Canna indica. Be aware that this common name is used for multiple different species of plants.
Considerations for Pets
- Canna indica leaves are similar to banana leaves, which may be attractive to some pets.
Considerations for Children
- Canna indica is commonly grown in gardens, potentially making it accessible to children.
Scientific Name & Common Names
- Scientific Name: Costus allenii Maas
- Scientific Name: Canna indica L.
- Common Names: Caa de la India, Achira, Achera, Sag, Capacho, Biri, Cucuys, Juquin, Risgua, Papantla, Cana de las Indias, Platanillo de Cuba, Caa india, Caa coro, Lengua de dragón.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Family (Costus allenii): Zingiberaceae
- Family (Canna indica): Cannaceae
- Synonyms (Canna indica): Canna edulis
Distribution and Habitat
- Canna indica is cultivated in gardens and also grows wild in some regions.
- It is mentioned as being found in Peru.
Morphological Characteristics
- Costus allenii is a rhizomatous herb.
- Canna indica is a perennial plant, growing to a height of 1.5 to 3 meters.
- Canna indica has foliage of vivid colors and flowers similar to gladiolus.
Ecological Role
- Canna indica is used to make natural fences around coffee farms and provide wind protection.
Traditional Uses
- Caa de la India is traditionally used to help expel kidney stones and sand, and to reduce leg swelling. It's prepared by cooking it with "papelon" (unrefined whole cane sugar) and lemon.
- It is described as sudorific, antiptrida, diuretic, and antilechosa (to reduce milk production). The sweetened juice is used to soothe irritations.
Quirky Facts
- While the text mentions sugarcane production in India, the context relates to economic factors, not the plant Canna indica.
Further Information
- References are made to the websites botit.botany.wisc.edu and www.wien.gv.at, potentially offering photographic resources.
- Discover Life is mentioned as a resource for biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution information for Costus guanaiensis (Cana de India).