Contents
Description
Canna Musifolia, also known as Banana Canna or Abyssinian Banana, is a perennial herbaceous plant native to tropical regions of Africa. It belongs to the Cannaceae family and is cultivated for its ornamental foliage and colorful flowers. The plant can grow up to 8 feet tall and has large, banana-like leaves that are green or purple in color. Its flowers are bright red, yellow or orange, and bloom in clusters on top of tall stalks. Canna Musifolia is a popular choice for landscaping because of its striking appearance and ease of cultivation.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Liliopsida |
| Order | Zingiberales |
| Family | Cannaceae |
| Genus | Canna |
Appearance
Canna Musifolia has large, banana-like leaves that can grow up to 2 feet long and 1 foot wide. The leaves are green or purple in color and have prominent veins. The plant produces tall stalks that can reach up to 8 feet in height. The flowers are bright red, yellow or orange, and grow in clusters on top of the stalks. Each flower is about 3 inches in diameter and has three petals and three sepals. The plant blooms from mid-summer to fall and produces seed pods that resemble small bananas.
Care Guide
To care for Canna Musifolia, you should provide it with regular watering, fertilization, and sunlight. The plant prefers moist, well-drained soil and needs to be watered regularly to keep the soil evenly moist. You should fertilize the plant every two weeks during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer. Canna Musifolia requires full sun to partial shade and can be grown in hardiness zones 7-11. In colder climates, the plant can be grown as an annual or overwintered indoors.
Common Pests & Diseases
Canna Musifolia is susceptible to a few pests and diseases, including spider mites, caterpillars, and fungal leaf spot. Spider mites can be controlled with insecticidal soap or neem oil, while caterpillars can be handpicked or treated with Bacillus thuringiensis. Fungal leaf spot can be prevented by avoiding overhead watering and providing good air circulation around the plant.
Habitat
Canna Musifolia is native to tropical regions of Africa and prefers warm, humid climates. The plant can be grown in a variety of soils but prefers moist, well-drained soil. It can be found growing in gardens, parks, and other landscaped areas.
Question and Answer
Q: Can Canna Musifolia be grown in containers?
A: Yes, Canna Musifolia can be grown in containers as long as the container is large enough to accommodate the plant’s size and needs.
Q: How often should I fertilize Canna Musifolia?
A: You should fertilize Canna Musifolia every two weeks during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer.
Q: Can Canna Musifolia tolerate full sun?
A: Yes, Canna Musifolia requires full sun to partial shade and can tolerate full sun as long as it is provided with enough water.
Q: What is the hardiness zone for Canna Musifolia?
A: Canna Musifolia can be grown in hardiness zones 7-11.
Related Plants
– Canna ‘Australia’- Canna ‘Durban’- Canna ‘Pretoria’- Canna ‘Red Futurity’- Canna ‘Tropicanna’
References
– “Canna Musifolia.” Missouri Botanical Garden, www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=c460.- “Canna Musifolia.” Plant Care Today, www.plantcaretoday.com/canna-musifolia.- “Growing Canna Lilies: How To Care For Canna Lily.” Gardening Know How, www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/canna/canna-lily-care.htm.
