Giant Canna (Canna edulis x altensteinii)
 
Canna is an edible perennial. The rhizomes can be roasted or ground to extact the starch. The leaves are used to wrap tamales. This Giant Canna hybrid is probably the best one I have found to grow as an edible crop. They can grow to 7 feet tall or more and grdually expand the clump as the rhizomes spread. They grow during the warm season and go dormant during winter. In California they barely go dormant, but in cold climates they can be dug and stored over the winter. This variety flowers during the long days of summer and produces lots of seeds. The flowers are red, and smaller than ornamental Cannas, but are still pretty showy. In my garden they are pollinated by hummingbirds.
 
These are the offspring of a cross between Queensland Arrowroot (Canna edulis) and Canna altensteinii made by plant breeder Shane Simonsen. I grew seeds from this cross in 2020. These seeds for sale are from my best selections that have grown vigorously and produce lots of roots and seeds.
 
Grown by Mike Jennings in 2023.
Packets of 20+ seeds.