Indian shot

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Indian-shot
• Cannon
• Indian Shot
• African arrowroot
• Queensland arrowroot
• Sierra Leone arrowroot
• edible canna
• purple arrowroot
• Canna plurituberosa
• Indian Canna
• Small-flowered canna
• Wild Canna

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Xyphostylis lutea
• Canna denudata var. grandis
• Canna ellipticifolia var. rubra
• Canna ellipticifolia var. coccinea
• Canna coccinea var. limbata
• Canna compacta
• Canna concinna
• Distemon brasiliensis
• Canna indica var. sanctae-rosae
• Canna patens var. limbata
• Canna indica var. limbata
• Canna rendatleri
• Canna musifolia-edulis
• Canna expansa
• Canna indica var. saturaterubra
• Canna fuchsina
• Canna coccinea var. concolor
• Canna orientalis var. flavescens
• Canna indica subsp. orientalis
• Canna altensteinii
• Canna surinamensis
• Canna xalapensis
• Canna warszewiczii var. flameus
• Canna coccinea f. flaviflora
• Canna commutata
• Canna recurvata
• Canna texensis
• Canna maculata
• Canna formosa
• Canna fulgida
• Canna humilis
• Canna zebrina
• Canna bihorellii
• Canna expansa-rubra
• Canna houlletii
• Canna insignis
• Canna pallida var. maculata
• Canna atronigricans
• Canna porteana
• Canna vanhouttei
• Canna lavalleei
• Canna liervalii
• Canna zebrina nana
• Canna aurantiaca splendida
• Canna musifolia-hybrida
• Canna peruviana
• Canna robusta
• Canna limbata var. hybrida
• Canna peruviana-purpurea
• Canna peruviana-robusta
• Canna ascendens
• Canna peruviana-spectabilis
• Canna caledonis-peltata
• Canna gaboniensis
• Canna musifolia sanguinea
• Canna musifolia
• Canna purpurea-spectabilis
• Canna ellipticifolia var. lutea
• Canna ellipticifolia var. patens
• Canna indica var. variegata
• Canna coccinea var. floribunda
• Canna indica var. karsteniana
• Canna lutea var. maculata
• Canna aurantiaca
• Canna bidentata
• Canna bifida
• Canna brasiliensis
• Canna carnea
• Canna cearensis
• Canna cinnabarina
• Canna coccinea
• Canna coccinea var. bicolor
• Canna crocea
• Canna discolor
• Canna discolor var. rubripunctata
• Canna discolor var. viridifolia
• Canna edulis
• Canna ehrenbergii
• Canna densifolia
• Canna exigua
• Canna eximia
• Canna achiras
• Canna amabilis
• Canna schubertii
• Canna seleriana
• Canna sellowii
• Canna rotundifolia
• Canna rubricaulis
• Canna sanctae-rosae
• Canna sanguinea
• Canna saturate-rubra
• Canna orientalis var. flava
• Canna pallida
• Canna patens
• Canna platyphylla
• Canna plurituberosa
• Canna poeppigii
• Canna polyclada
• Canna polymorpha
• Canna portoricensis
• Canna pruinosa
• Canna pulchra
• Canna pulchra
• Canna spectabilis
• Canna tenuiflora
• Canna variegata
• Canna variegatifolia
• Canna ventricosa
• Cannacorus indicus
• Canna montana
• Canna moritziana
• Canna nepalensis
• Canna occidentalis
• Canna lutea
• Canna lutea var. aurantiaca
• Canna lutea var. pallida
• Canna macrophylla
• Canna lanuginosa
• Canna leptochila
• Canna juncea
• Canna laeta
• Canna lagunensis
• Canna lambertii
• Canna aureovittata
• Canna heliconiifolia
• Canna heliconiifolia var. xalapensis
• Canna flavescens
• Canna floribunda
• Canna indica var. coccinea
• Canna indica var. edwardsii
• Canna indica var. flava
• Canna indica var. lutea
• Canna indica var. maculata
• Canna indica var. nepalensis
• Canna indica var. patens
• Canna indica var. rubra
• Canna indica var. warszewiczii

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Zingiberales and is a member of the Cannaceae family. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Cannna.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several distinct regions. In Middle Europe, it can be found growing in Austria. Its presence extends into Southwestern Europe, specifically within the territories of Portugal and Spain. Moving toward the southern coast, the species is also established in Northern Africa, notably in Tunisia. Finally, its range reaches the Macaronesian islands, including the Azores.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Canna indica is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse ecosystems and a broad altitudinal distribution. This species thrives in a wide array of habitats, ranging from anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) and floodplain meadows (Campo de Várzea) to more complex natural formations such as the Cerrado (latu sensu), Semi-deciduous Seasonal Forests (Floresta Estacional Semi-decidual), and Ombrophilous Forests (Floresta Ombrófila/Pluvial). Additionally, it is frequently found in specialized coastal and tropical environments, including Restinga and the Amazonian Savanna (Savana Amazônica). Its elevational range is extensive, spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 2620 m AMSL, with a mean elevation of approximately 1800 m AMSL, demonstrating its ability to colonize both lowland wetlands and higher mountainous terrains.

Elevational range max:

2620 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Campo de Várzea, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Restinga, Savana Amazônica

Genetics

The genetics of Canna indica are characterized by specific cytological configurations that reflect its complex evolutionary history. The plant exhibits varying chromosome numbers, with documented counts of 18 and 27, indicating a degree of chromosomal polymorphism within the species. Furthermore, the genomic structure is defined by a ploidy level of 2, signifying its status as a diploid organism. These genetic parameters play a fundamental role in the plant's reproductive biology and its ability to maintain phenotypic diversity within its natural habitats.

Chromosome number :

18, 27

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Canna indica is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a geophtye, it relies on its underground rhizomes to survive unfavorable environmental conditions, a strategy that aligns with its status as a cryptophyte, where the perennating buds are protected below the soil surface. Throughout its life cycle, the plant maintains an evergreen nature, retaining its foliage to support continuous growth and metabolic activity.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Canna indica is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, exhibiting a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a climber or liana. The plant maintains an erect shoot orientation and functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic tendencies. As a terrestrial species, it is neither an epiphyte nor an aquatic plant, though it thrives in various moist environments. In terms of stature, the plant displays significant variability in size, with a minimum height of 0.8 m, a mean height of approximately 1.8 m, and a maximum height reaching up to 2 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height mean:

1.8 m

Plant height min:

0.8 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Canna indica is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic approach to carbon fixation. The plant's foliage exhibits significant morphological variability, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 3 cm to a mean of 20 cm, reaching a maximum of 60 cm. Similarly, the leaf width displays a broad spectrum, with values as small as 1 cm, a mean of 15 cm, and a maximum width of 45 cm. In terms of water storage and nutrient acquisition, the species does not exhibit succulence and lacks the biological capability to function as a nitrogen fixer.

Leaf length max:

60 cm

Leaf length mean:

20 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf width max:

45 cm

Leaf width mean:

15 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Canna indica involves both sexual and asexual processes, with the sexual aspect characterized by bisexual flowers that typically exhibit a yellow color. The flowering period generally begins in April and concludes in July, though it can be variable. This plant relies on biotic pollination, specifically utilizing an insect pollination syndrome. Self-fertilization is notably absent, ensuring genetic diversity through cross-pollination. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces dry, dehiscence-type fruit in the form of a capsule. These capsules vary in size, with a mean length of 1.75 cm (ranging from 1.2 to 3 cm) and a mean width of 1.5 cm. Each fruit contains a significant number of seeds, typically ranging from 11 to 100 per fruit. The seeds themselves are characterized by a mean mass of approximately 0.189655 g (with a range of 0.12024 g to 0.25 g), a length between 3 and 7 mm, and a width between 3 and 7 mm, resulting in a consistent seed volume of 210 mm³. Dispersal of these seeds is categorized as unspecialized, though it also exhibits anthropochorous tendencies, meaning human activity plays a role in its spread.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flower colour :

yellow

Flower length max:

1.8 cm

Flower length min:

1 cm

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

3 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.75 cm

Fruit length min:

1.2 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Fruit width mean:

1.5 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

present

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed length max:

7 mm

Seed length min:

3 mm

Seed mass max:

0.25 g

Seed mass mean:

0.189655 g

Seed mass min:

0.12024 g

Seed volume max:

210 mm³

Seed width max:

7 mm

Seed width min:

3 mm

Seeds_per_fruit :

11-100

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Canna indica has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, rhizome.

Leaf

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Rhizome

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Canna indica has 15 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ash, CALCIUM, CATECHIN, FAT, Flavonoids.

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

CATECHIN

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

Flavonoids

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

IRON

1. Dr. Duke

PHOSPHORUS

1. Dr. Duke

ascorbic acid

1. Dr. Duke

beta-carotene

1. Dr. Duke

catechol

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Activities

Canna indica has 207 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Neuroprotective, Acidulant, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allergenic.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Neuroprotective

1. Dr. Duke
2. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic?

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

AntiAGE

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCFS

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Canna indica has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include AIDS, diarrhea, dropsy, dysentery, fever.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations