Editing Canna (plant) (section)

====Sexual propagation====
[[Image:Canna Seeds 01.JPG|thumb|Canna fruit (green) and ripe seed pods]]
[[File:Canna fruits.jpg|thumb|Canna fruits]]
Seeds are produced from [[Plant sexuality|sexual]] reproduction, involving the transfer of [[pollen]] from the [[stamen]] of the pollen parent onto the stigma of the seed parent.<ref name=HMaas/> In the case of ''Canna'', the same plant can usually play the roles of both pollen and seed parents, technically referred to as a [[hermaphrodite]]. However, the cultivars of the Italian group and [[Polyploidy|triploids]] are almost always seed sterile, and their pollen has a low fertility level. [[Mutations]] are almost always totally sterile.<ref name=Khoshoo/>

''Canna'' seeds have a very hard [[seed coat]], which contributes to their [[seed#Seed dormancy|dormancy]]. Germination is facilitated by [[seed#Inducing germination|scarification]] of the seed coat, which can be accomplished by several techniques.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/how-propagate-canna-seed |title=Organic Gardening: How to Propagate Canna by Seed. |access-date=2012-01-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213072933/http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/how-propagate-canna-seed |archive-date=2012-02-13 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

;Pollination
The species are capable of [[self-pollination]], but most cultivars require an outside [[pollinator]]. All cannas produce [[nectar]], so attract nectar-consuming [[insects]], [[bat]]s, and [[hummingbird]]s, that act as the transfer agent, spreading pollen between stamens and stigmas on the same or different flowers.<ref name=Khoshoo/>

;Genetic changes
Since [[genetic recombination]] has occurred, a cultivar grown from seed will have different characteristics from its parent(s), thus should never be given a parent's name. The wild species have evolved in the absence of other ''Canna'' genes and are usually true to type when the parents are of the same species, but a degree of variance still occurs. The species ''C. indica'' is an aggregate species, having many different and extreme forms ranging from the giant to miniature, from large foliage to small foliage, both green and dark foliage, and many differently coloured blooms of red, orange, pink, or yellow, and combinations of those colours.<ref name=Khoshoo/>