Johnson's Dictionary of 1856 reports that it first entered England in 1820, pedunculata meaning 'long-flower-stalked'.

In the last three decades of the 20th century, Canna species have been categorised by two different taxonomists, Paulus Johannes Maria Maas from the Netherlands and Nobuyuki Tanaka from Japan.

The two taxonomists are in agreement that this is a separate and distinct species.

Grows to 2.5m tall, leaves are green, glaucous and relatively narrow (4–13 cm/1½-5 inches wide).

The flowers are erect, yellow, relatively small (3–4 cm/1¼-1½inches long), composed of 9 coloured parts; sepals obtuse; petals reflexed; 4 staminodes, narrow (2-10mm/¼-½inch wide).