- Zantedeschia aethiopica
-
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., 1826Zantedeschia aethiopica (common names Lily of the Nile, Calla lily, Easter lily, Arum lily, Varkoor, an Afrikaans name meaning pig's ear); 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]
Contents
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]
Zantedeschia 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
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 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. 'Green Goddess' has green stripes on the spathes. '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 rare. 'Pink Mist' has a pinkish base to the spathe.
In order to introduce colours to the large white Calla Lilies just like the many colour varieties available with the dwarf summer Calla Lilies, attempts to hybridise Zantedeschia aeithiopica x Zantedeschia elliotiana have resulted in albino progenies, which are non-viable.
It has been cultivated for the Easter floral trade since the early 20th century; hence the (ambiguous) name 'Easter lily', common in Britain and Ireland. It has become an important symbol of Irish Republicanism since the Easter uprising of 1916.
It is the National Flower of St. Helena [1], where it grows widely.
See also
-
Emerging leaf growth
-
Leaves and inflorescence
-
Leaves and inflorescence
-
Funchal
-
Pink
-
Yellow
References
- ^ Germplasm Resources Information Network: Zantedeschia aethiopica
- ^ a b Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan ISBN 0-333-47494-5.
- ^ Poisonous Plants of North Carolina Retrieved on 8-2-2009
- ^ http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Zantedeschia+aethiopica
- ^ "Arum Lily". Weeds Australia Weed indentification. http://www.weeds.org.au/cgi-bin/weedident.cgi?tpl=plant.tpl&ibra=all&card=H10. Retrieved 2008-04-23.
- ^ "Arum lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica)". Declared plant in Western Australia. http://agspsrv95.agric.wa.gov.au/dps/version02/01_plantview.asp?page=1&contentID=7&. Retrieved 2008-04-23. Dept Agriculture and Food, Western Australia
- Alfred Pink (2004). Gardening for the Million.. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/11892.
- Botanicas Annuals & Perennials, Random House, Sydney, 2005, ISBN 0091838096
Categories:- Araceae
- Flora of South Africa
- Garden plants
- Invasive plant species
- Invasive plant species in California
-
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
