The Cannaceae is a monotypic family with only a single genus, Canna, which itself contains some 20 species distributed from southeastern North America through South America. Often called lilies, they are actually closely related to bananas and gingers, with wide leaves arising from rhizomes. Frequently grown in the form of ornamental hybrids, they are among the most extensively grown tropical bedding plants, and hundreds of named cultivars currently exist. The name comes from the Greek word kanna used for a type of reed. C. indica was the first species introduced into Europe and was imported from the West Indies, which accounts for the name 'indica.' The plants have been used as a very rich source of starch, its fibers have been used as a jute substitute and for making paper, a purple dye has been extracted from the seeds, and the plants have been fermented to make alcohol.