Achira (Canna edulis)

Family: Cannaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Canna edulis is a PERENNIAL growing to 3 m (9ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is frost tender. It is in flower from August to October, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Leaves, Shoots, Roots/Tubers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

sweet but fibrousy. — Root - raw or cooked.; It is the source of 'canna starch' which is used as an arrowroot.; The arrowroot is obtained by rasping the root to a pulp, then washing and straining to get rid of the fibres.; This starch is very digestible.

Habitat & North American Range

By the coast and in temperate valleys of the Andes. Usually found at the edges of moist thickets or in ditches. (Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10)