Arum Lily, Calla lily, White Calla Lily
Zantedeschia aethiopica
Family: Araceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late spring, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.
Zantedeschia aethiopica is an evergreen Perennial growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.6 m (2ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to November. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers wet soil and can grow in water.
Height (m): 1
Where it is found
Wet marshy places.
S. Africa. Locally naturalized in S. and W. Europe.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Young leaves - cooked. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Specimen. Requires a very rich soil in full sun or shade. Best when growing in full sun. Succeeds in wet soils or water up to 30cm deep. This species is only hardy to between -5 and -10°c, although some selected forms, such as 'Crowborough' and 'Green Spathe', are hardy in most parts of Britain if they are planted deeply in shallow water to about 30 cm deep. It is best to cover plants with bracken in the winter in order to protect against exceptional frosts. Members of this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits. Special Features: Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Naturalizing, All or parts of this plant are poisonous, Wetlands plant, Suitable for cut flowers, Fragrant flowers, Attractive flowers or blooms.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse. Pre-soak stored seed for 24 hours in warm water and sow in moist soil in spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division, preferably in the spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring.
Best place to grow: Pond; Bog Garden;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 8-10
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Wet, water
Things to keep in mind
Many plants in this family are poisonous raw, due to the presence of calcium oxylate crystals. If eaten raw, this toxin gives you a sensation as if hundreds of tiny needles are sticking into the mouth, tongue etc. However, it is easily destroyed by thoroughly cooking or drying the plant. Although no specific mention has been seen for this plant it is wise to assume that it is poisonous in its raw state.