Zantedeschia aethiopica

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Zantedeschia aethiopica
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
Order: Alismatales
Family: Araceae
Subfamily: Aroideae
Tribe: Zantedeschieae
Genus: Zantedeschia
Species: Z. aethiopica
Binomial name
Zantedeschia aethiopica
(L.) Spreng., 1826
Synonyms
  • Calla aethiopica L.
  • Richardia africana Kunth
  • Richardia aethiopica (L.) Spreng.
  • Colocasia aethiopica (L.) Spreng. ex Link

Zantedeschia aethiopica (common names calla lily, arum lily; a.k.a. varkoor, an Afrikaans name meaning 'pig's ear') is a species in the family Araceae, native to southern Africa in Lesotho, South Africa, and Swaziland.[1]

Description

Inflorescence and spathe

It 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 streams and ponds or on the banks. It grows to 0.6–1 m (2–3 ft) tall, with large clumps of broad, arrow shaped dark green leaves up to 45 cm (18 in) long. The Inflorescences 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 90 mm (3½ in) long.[2]

Z. 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.[3][4]

Distribution and habitat

Z. aethiopica is native to southern and east Africa in Lesotho, South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya and Madeira. It has become naturalised in Australia, particularly in Western Australia where it occurs in areas with high periodical water tables and sandy soils, and has been classified as a toxic weed and pest.[5][6]

Cultivation and use

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.[citation needed]
  • 'Green Goddess' has green stripes on the spathes which allow the flowers to last much longer than the original white form. 'Green Goddess' also has a more opened and wider spathe and has the tendency to develop curvy fringes at the edge of the spathe than the original white form. The first generation hybrid of 'Green Goddess' and the original white form has a light green underside on the spathe, allowing the flower to last longer than the original white form, but no green stripes on the top side.[citation needed]
  • 'White Sail', growing to 90 cm tall, has a very broad spathe.[2]
  • 'Red Desire' has a red instead of yellow spadix and appears to be rather rare.[citation needed]
  • 'Pink Mist' has a pinkish base to the spathe and pink spadix. 'Pink Mist' is not a hybrid, but a colour sport. The pink colour is best developed in semishade after rain. 'Pink Mist' is quite delicate and weak compared to the original white form and 'Green Goddess'. Unlike the latter, 'Pink Mist' has a dormant period during winter, where the leaves almost die down completely, although it is pure Zantedeschia aethiopica. The seedlings of 'Pink Mist' are also weaker than the original white form or 'Green Goddess'.[citation needed]

Z. aethiopica and its cultivars 'Crowborough'[7] and 'Green Goddess'[8] 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.[citation needed]

It has become an important symbol of Irish republicanism and nationalism since 1926 to commemorate the fallen of Easter 1916 and onwards.[citation needed]

It is the national flower of the island nation of Saint Helena,[9] where it grows widely.

The cultivar 'Green Goddess' is listed on the New Zealand National Pest Plant Accord preventing its sale, cultivation and distribution.

  • White

  • Emerging leaf growth

  • Leaves and inflorescence

  • Leaves and inflorescence

References

  1. ↑ Germplasm Resources Information Network: Zantedeschia aethiopica
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan ISBN 0-333-47494-5.
  3. ↑ Poisonous Plants of North Carolina Retrieved on 8-2-2009
  4. ↑ http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Zantedeschia+aethiopica
  5. ↑ "Arum Lily". Weeds Australia Weed identification. Retrieved 2008-04-23. 
  6. ↑ "Arum lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica)". Declared plant in Western Australia. Retrieved 2008-04-23.  Dept Agriculture and Food, Western Australia
  7. ↑ http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=2064
  8. ↑ http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=2065
  9. ↑ http://www.sthelenatourism.com/pages/flora.html

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