Zantedeschia aethiopica, commonly known as calla lily and arum lily, is a species of flowering plant in the family Araceae, native to southern Africa in Lesotho, South Africa, and Eswatini.
Description
thumb|Inflorescence and spathe
Zantedeschia aethiopica is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant, evergreen where rainfall and temperatures are adequate, deciduous where there is a dry season. Its preferred habitat is in or on the banks of streams and ponds. It grows to tall, with large clumps of broad, arrow shaped dark green leaves up to long. The inflorescences are large and are produced in spring, summer and autumn, with a pure white spathe up to and a yellow spadix up to long. The spadix produces a faint, sweet fragrance.
Zantedeschia aethiopica contains calcium oxalate, and ingestion of the raw plant may cause a severe burning sensation and swelling of lips, tongue, and throat; stomach pain and diarrhea may occur.
Distribution and habitat
Z. aethiopica is native to southern Africa, specifically Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa, and Eswatini. It has naturalised in Kenya, Madeira, Azores, Malawi, New Zealand, Tanzania, Zambia, coastal California, in western Europe from the Iberian Peninsula to Ireland, the high altitude mountainous areas of Luzon in the Philippines, and Australia, particularly in Western Australia where it has been classified as a toxic weed and pest. The majority of invasive populations are located in coastal prairies and wetlands near human settlements. It is also a highly invasive species in riparian zones and pastureland of Western Australia and New Zealand. and 'Green Goddess' have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
In order to introduce colours to the large white calla lilies, like the many colours available in the dwarf summer calla lilies, attempts have been made to hybridise Z. aethiopica with Z. elliotiana. These have resulted in albino progeny, which are non-viable.
Zantedeschia aethiopica can be used for treatment of wastewater due to its tolerance of iron and ability to grow in wet areas.
Symbolism
Until 2011, Zantedeschia aethiopica was the national flower of the island nation of Saint Helena, where it grows widely, but is considered an invasive plant. Further, it is an important symbol of Irish republicanism and nationalism since 1926, because it is used to commemorate the dead of Easter 1916 and onward.
See also
- List of plants known as lily
Gallery
<gallery mode="packed">
File:Giant White Arum Lily (6).jpg|Closed inflorescence
File:Zantedeschia aethiopica (arum).JPG|Emerging leaf growth
File:Aronskelk (Zantedeschia aethiopica) 02.JPG|Seeds
</gallery>
References
External links
- Botanicas Annuals & Perennials, Random House, Sydney, 2005,