Calla Lily: Difference between revisions
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The popular garden and horticultural specimen '''Calla Lily''', also called the '''Arum Lily''', is neither a [[lily]] nor a [[calla]] nor an [[arum]]. Nor is it a true [[flower]]; rather, what we know as “Calla Lillies” are [[spathe]]s that surrounds an [[inflorescense]] of tiny flowers from plants in the [[genus]] ''Zantedeschia'', which originated in southern Africa. | The popular garden and horticultural specimen '''Calla Lily''', also called the '''Arum Lily''', is neither a [[lily]] nor a [[calla]] nor an [[arum]]. Nor is it a true [[flower]]; rather, what we know as “Calla Lillies” are [[spathe]]s that surrounds an [[inflorescense]] of tiny flowers from plants in the [[genus]] ''Zantedeschia'', which originated in southern Africa. | ||
Many Calla Lillies have a long flowering season. The new blooms of the popular ''Zantedeschia aethiopica'' are faintly scented with a light, slightly sweet, buttery fragrance. The odour becomes less sweet as the flower ages. The dying spathe reveals the [fruit]] which is also of horticultural interest. Calla Lillies with shorter flowering seasons are also grown as [[specimen tree|ornamental plants]] due to their lush [[leaf|foliage]]; of particular note is Zantedeschia elliottiana, with deep green leaves with white spots. | Many Calla Lillies have a long flowering season. The new blooms of the popular ''Zantedeschia aethiopica'' are faintly scented with a light, slightly sweet, buttery fragrance. The odour becomes less sweet as the flower ages. The dying spathe reveals the [fruit]] which is also of horticultural interest. Calla Lillies with shorter flowering seasons are also grown as [[specimen tree|ornamental plants]] due to their lush [[leaf|foliage]]; of particular note is ''Zantedeschia elliottiana'', with deep green leaves with white spots. | ||
Zantedeschia are | Zantedeschia are hardy, insect-attracting plants with few natural pests. As a result, they are a delight for novice gardeners, but in warm climates they can become a pest. ''Zantedeschia'' have naturalised in some areas and are classed as [[weed]]s in parts of [[Western Australia]]. According to a New South Wales government fact sheet, the species can be invasive and "All Zantedeschia species are highly poisonous when eaten raw." <ref> http://www.esc.nsw.gov.au/Weeds/Sheets/herbs/H%20Arum%20lily.htm Sourced 26 November 2007 </ref> | ||
==In popular culture== | ==In popular culture== | ||
Revision as of 16:29, 4 December 2007
The popular garden and horticultural specimen Calla Lily, also called the Arum Lily, is neither a lily nor a calla nor an arum. Nor is it a true flower; rather, what we know as “Calla Lillies” are spathes that surrounds an inflorescense of tiny flowers from plants in the genus Zantedeschia, which originated in southern Africa.
Many Calla Lillies have a long flowering season. The new blooms of the popular Zantedeschia aethiopica are faintly scented with a light, slightly sweet, buttery fragrance. The odour becomes less sweet as the flower ages. The dying spathe reveals the [fruit]] which is also of horticultural interest. Calla Lillies with shorter flowering seasons are also grown as ornamental plants due to their lush foliage; of particular note is Zantedeschia elliottiana, with deep green leaves with white spots.
Zantedeschia are hardy, insect-attracting plants with few natural pests. As a result, they are a delight for novice gardeners, but in warm climates they can become a pest. Zantedeschia have naturalised in some areas and are classed as weeds in parts of Western Australia. According to a New South Wales government fact sheet, the species can be invasive and "All Zantedeschia species are highly poisonous when eaten raw." [1]
In popular culture
Actress Katherine Hepburn immortalized the Calla Lilly in a line from the feature film Stage Door, "The Calla Lillies are in bloom again." Their pure white colour has made them a popular choice for bridal bouquets.
Notes
- ↑ http://www.esc.nsw.gov.au/Weeds/Sheets/herbs/H%20Arum%20lily.htm Sourced 26 November 2007
Other sources
- http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s1866767.htm - profile from Gardening Australia website, sourced 26th November 2007.
- http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantwxyz/zantedeschaeth.htm - An article by Alice Aubrey of the Witwatersrand National Botanical Garden, with additions by Yvonne Reynolds, November 2001. Sourced 26th November 2007.