Zantedeschia (Calla Lily) - Introduction

 

Zantedeschia is a genus of twenty-eight species of flowering plants in the family Araceae, native to southern Africa from South Africa north to Malawi. Common names include arum lily and calla lily, the latter confusing as it is also the scientific name of the related genus Calla.

Zantedeschia aethiopica (Calla Lily)They are rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plants growing to 1-2.5 m tall with leaves 15-45 cm long. The flowers are prodiced in a spadix, with a large, brightly coloured bract surrounding the inflorescence.

Species

    * Zantedeschia aethiopica - giant white arum lily or common arum lily
    * Zantedeschia odorata
    * Zantedeschia albomaculata - spotted arum lily
    * Zantedeschia elliottiana - yellow or golden arum lily
    * Zantedeschia jucunda
    * Zantedeschia pentlandii
    * Zantedeschia rehmannii - pink arum lily

Zantedeschia elliottiana (Calla Lily)

All species are endemic to Southern Africa. Z. aethiopica grows naturally in marshy areas and only deciduous when water becomes scarce. It grows continuously when watered and fed continuously and can survive periods of minor frosts. Z. aethiopica is a very strong and sturdy plant, being able to grow in many soils and habitats, multiplying by rhizome-offsets; it is naturalised and regarded as a weed throughout the world. Z. odorata is a rare species, resembling Z. aethiopica, but deciduous and smelling like freesia, endemic to a few localities in South Africa. Z. albomaculata is a widespread and variable species, growing from South Africa up to Kenia, varying in shades of white to cream and pink to orange-shades. Z. elliotiana is known from horticultural sources only and is probably of hybrid origin. Z. jucunda and Z. pentlandii are rare species with beautiful large yellow showy flowers. Z. rehmannii is a pink-flowered species with sword shaped leaves.

All zantedeschias produce large, showy flowers spathes and are often grown both as ornamental plants and for cut flowers. They are hardy only to USDA plant hardiness zone 8-10; in colder zones, they are grown as tender bulbs or houseplants.

The so-called white calla is derived from Z. aethiopica. All varieties with flowers with shades of yellow, orange, red, purple are mainly derived from Z. albomaculata, Z. pentlandii and Z. rehmanni.

 


source : hydroponicsearch