This article was written by the Lions River Honorary Officers of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, who are calling the community of the Midlands in KwaZulu Natal, to take action against an aggressive exotic plant-the “Indian Shot.”
We are incredibly blessed to live among endangered grasslands and mystical Mistbelt forests, but these interdependent ecosystems are facing a major threat from “beautiful” invaders.
The Lions River Honorary Officers of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife are sounding the alarm on a colorful but dangerous species: Canna indica, famously known as Indian Shot.
The plant is a master of camouflage, often disguising when it isn’t showing off its flowers, making it very difficult to spot.
The “Tell”: Between September and April, it produces small, narrow flowers—usually red or orange with yellow bases.
The Disguise: When not in bloom, it looks like a harmless garden plant with large, lush green or purple-bronze leaves. It grows in dense clumps that reach up to 2 meters tall!
The “Shot”: Watch for green, spiny capsules. Inside are hard, black seeds so tough they resemble lead shot ammunition!
Why It’s a Danger to Our Midlands
Don’t let the vibrant colors fool you; this is a NEMBA Category 1b Habitat Transformer.
It is a Biodiversity Killer -replacing 100% of indigenous vegetation, breaking the vital links that support our local insects, birds, and mammals.
It guzzles water- often thriving in our stream banks and moist sites, clogging up waterways and increasing the risk of flooding in our sensitive catchments.
But above all, it is illegal to keep. By law, you cannot trade, plant, or transport this species.
It must be removed and destroyed to protect our natural heritage.
Its Killer move is the removal & control. You can’t just pull the stem—you have to get to the root of the problem!
Dig Deep: Use a garden fork to remove the entire underground rhizome (it looks like a thick, ginger-like root).
If even a small piece stays, it will regrow!
Safe Disposal: Do not throw it on the garden refuse pile!
Shred, rot, or dry out the rhizomes completely before disposal to ensure they don’t spread further.
Nature’s arms are wide open to welcome you into our conservation family. Let’s protect the Midlands together!
We need EVERYONE to help us map this invasion across the KZN Midlands.
Using the free iNaturalist app is a simple way to contribute to high-level conservation! 🤳📊
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
📸 Snap it: Take a clear photo of the leaves and the flower or seed pods.
🌱 Upload it: Post your finding to iNaturalist.
🗺 Map it: Your data helps the Honorary Officers see where the “frontlines” are so we can prioritize our clearing efforts. 📍
References & Credit:
📚 For more information on identifying and managing invaders, visit the official South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) invasive species portal: www.sanbi.org/biodiversity/science-into-policy-action/invasive-species/
Picture: Westville Conservancy