Canna tuerckheimii aka Maraca Roja

Canna tuerckheimii is a tall, leafy perennial in the Cannaceae family. Its native range runs from Mexico through Central America to Ecuador. It also occurs in Colombia. Kew places it in the seasonally dry tropical biome. It grows in low thickets within its native range. Useful Tropical Plants notes that its naming remains unsettled. Some authorities use the name Canna latifolia for this species.

The plant forms upright clumps from a large, swollen rhizome. This underground stem supports tall shoots with broad leaves. The listed height is about 13 feet [4 metres]. The same source describes stems reaching 16 feet [5 metres]. Leaves reach about 2.3 feet [0.7 metres] long. They can spread 1.2 feet [0.36 metres] across. Their bases wrap around the central stem. This gives the plant a form much like a small banana. Its great height and broad foliage define its appearance.

For cultivation, give it sun and deep, rich soil. The soil must drain well. Choose a site with shelter from strong winds. Wind can split and badly damage the large leaves. Growth is fast under suitable conditions. A seed-grown plant may send up a flowering shoot in its first year. The supplied species account gives no fixed flowering season. It also gives no frost limit or hardiness zone. Slugs can badly harm the soft new shoots in spring.

Seeds and clump division offer ways to raise plants. The account recommends soaking seeds in warm water for one day. Sow them in separate pots, then keep them in light shade. Use a temperature of about 68°F [20°C]. Germination can take three to nine weeks. Lightly nicking the hard seed coat may help water enter. Take care not to harm the seed inside. Divide the rhizome clump when new growth starts. Each piece needs at least one growing point.

People sometimes gather wild plants for local medicinal use. Reported uses include fresh root bark to promote sweating and urine flow. The rhizome also has a recorded medicinal use. These records describe traditional use, not proven treatment or safety. Useful Tropical Plants lists no known food uses or other uses. It also lists no known hazards. That statement does not establish safety for people or pets.