canna

American  

[kan-uh] / ˈkæn ə /

noun

1. any of various tropical plants of the genus Canna, cultivated for their large, usually brightly colored leaves and showy flowers.

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canna British  

/ ˈkænə /

noun

1. any of various tropical plants constituting the genus Canna, having broad leaves and red or yellow showy flowers for which they are cultivated: family Cannaceae

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Etymology

Origin of canna

1655–65; < New Latin, Latin: reed; see cane

Example Sentences

Thirsty plants, such as astilbe, gunnera, ligularia and canna lilies, thrive where water is readily available during the growing season.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 28, 2023

At one of the last houses on a gravel road that dead-ends at a locked canal, Monica Santillan used a plastic milk jug to water her canna lilies.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 30, 2021

She showed me images of a wren nesting in a gourd, a tree frog ensconced in an orchid basket, a goldfinch taking nesting material she put out and a hummingbird supping from a canna flower.

From Washington Post • Jul. 20, 2021

From the canna planted by the corner of the porch in spring to the hanging basket of petunias perched nearby, many plants that provide seasonal garden color aren’t winter-hardy.

From New York Times • Sep. 16, 2020

“But it canna have been accident I could jalouse it had they worn their helms, but they were bonnetless. He must have known them.”

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White