Canna
/ˈkænə/noun
A plant of the genus Canna, especially one with large tropical leaves and bright flowers.
Did you know?Latin canna meant both a reed and a cane-like stalk, and it ultimately traces back to a very old Mediterranean word for a hollow plant stem.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kan-
“A possible ancient root meaning 'reed, cane' or a similar stalk-like plant”
Ancient Greek
Greek
kánna
“A reed, cane, or hollow stalk”
Latin
Latin
canna
“A reed or cane; a hollow plant stem”
Old French
Old French
cane
“A reed or cane”
Middle English
English
cane
“A reed, staff, or walking stick”
Modern English
English
canna
“A tropical ornamental plant genus with large leaves and flowers”