Zantedeschia aethiopica
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Zantedeschia aethiopica | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||
| Zantedeschia aethiopica (L.) Spreng., 1826 |
Zantedeschia aethiopica (Lily of the Nile or Calla lily; syn. Calla aethiopica L., Richardia africana Kunth, Richardia aethiopica (L.) Spreng., Colocasia aethiopica (L.) Spreng. ex Link) is a species in the family Araceae, native to southern Africa in Lesotho, South Africa, and Swaziland.[1] It is also commonly known as the Arum lily, although the plant is neither a true Arum (genus Arum) nor a lily (genus Lilium), but so named as the flowers resemble those of the arums.
Contents |
[edit] Description
It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant, evergreen where rainfall and temperatures are adequate, deciduous where there is a dry season. It grows to 1–2.5 m (3-8 ft) tall, with large clumps of broad, arrow shaped dark green leaves up to 45 cm (18 in) long. The flowers are large, produced in spring, summer and autumn, with a pure white spathe up to 25 cm (10 in) and a yellow spadix up to 9000 mm (3½ in) long.[2]
[edit] Distribution and habitat
Zantedeschia aethiopica is native to southern Africa in Lesotho, South Africa, and Swaziland. It has become naturalised in Australia, particularly in Western Australia where it occurs in areas with high periodical water tables and sandy soils. The plant has been classified as toxic weed and is a declared pest.[3][4]
[edit] Cultivation
A number of cultivars have been selected for use as ornamental plants. 'Crowborough' is a more cold tolerant cultivar growing to 90 cm (36 in) tall, suited to cool climates such as the British Isles and north-western United States. 'Green Goddess' has green stripes on the spathes. 'White Sail', growing to 90 cm tall, has a very broad spathe.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ Germplasm Resources Information Network: Zantedeschia aethiopica
- ^ a b Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan ISBN 0-333-47494-5.
- ^ Arum Lily. Weeds Australia Weed indetification. Retrieved on 2008-04-23.
- ^ Arum lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica). Declared plant in Western Australia. Retrieved on 2008-04-23. Dept Agriculture and Food, Western Australia
- Alfred Pink (2004). Gardening for the Million.. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.
- Botanicas Annuals & Perennials, Random House, Sydney, 2005, ISBN 0091838096
.JPG/120px-Zantedeschia_aethiopica_(arum).JPG) Emerging leaf growth |
 Leaves and inflorescence |
 Leaves and inflorescence |
 Funchal |
