Canna yellow streak virus (CaYSV,familyPotyviridae)infects many canna cultivars, which have been widely cultivated in the Iraqi gardens for ornamental purposes. The genetic variability within multiple genomic regions of CaYSV population has been demonstrated in the 3' part, particularly in the coat protein (CP). This work was aimed to characterize CaYSV and investigate its variability from canna plants in Iraq. Leaves of canna plants grown in severalgardens in Baghdad were tested by potyvirus group antibodies and RT-PCR. Analysis of the nucleotide (nt) sequences corresponding to the 3' part of the virus genomerevealed the highest identity (81.6-90.6%) with known CaYSV isolates. Phylogenetic analysis of the coat protein (CP) genesequence placed the Iraqiisolates in a separate clade with members of group A. This distinction was evidenced by unique amino acid changes found within the N-terminal motif of the CP. This is the first report of phylogenetically distinct CaYSV in Iraq. This is the first report of phylogenetically distinct CaYSV with divergent CP N-terminus in Iraq.