Zantedeschia aethiopica

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Zantedeschia aethiopica
Zantedeschia aethiopica -1.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Alismatales
Family: Araceae
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, commonly known as calla lily and arum lily, is a species of flowering plant in the family Araceae, native to southern Africa in Lesotho, South Africa, and Eswatini. [2]

Contents

Description

Inflorescence and spathe Jarro-2.jpg
Inflorescence and spathe

Zantedeschia aethiopica 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 or on the banks of streams and ponds. It grows to 0.6–1 m (2.0–3.3 ft) tall, with large clumps of broad, arrow shaped dark green leaves up to 45 cm (18 in) long. The inflorescences are large and are produced in spring, summer and autumn, with a pure white spathe up to 25 cm (9.8 in) and a yellow spadix up to 9 cm (3+12 in) long. [3] The spadix produces a faint, sweet fragrance. [4]

Zantedeschia 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. [5] [6]

Distribution and habitat

Z. aethiopica is native to southern Africa, specifically Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa, and Eswatini. It has naturalised in Kenya, Madeira, Azores, Malawi, New Zealand, Tanzania, Zambia, coastal California, in western Europe from the Iberian Peninsula to Ireland, and Australia, particularly in Western Australia where it has been classified as a toxic weed and pest. [7] [8] The majority of invasive populations are located in coastal prairies and wetlands near human settlements. [9] It is also a highly invasive species in riparian zones and pastureland of Western Australia and New Zealand. [9] The cultivar 'Green Goddess' is listed in the New Zealand National Pest Plant Accord, which proscribes its cultivation, sale, and distribution.

The reproduction of Z. aethiopica involves seeds dispersal by birds and vegetative propagation through rhizomes that can spread when soil or garden cuttings are moved. [9]

Cultivation and uses

A number of cultivars have been selected as ornamental plants:

The cultivars 'Crowborough' [10] and 'Green Goddess' [11] have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. [12]

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 ]

Zantedeschia aethiopica can be used for treatment of wastewater due to its tolerance of iron and ability to grow in wet areas. [13]

Symbolism

Until 2011, Zantedeschia aethiopica was the national flower of the island nation of Saint Helena, where it grows widely, but is considered an invasive plant. [14] Further, it is an important symbol of Irish republicanism and nationalism since 1926, because it is used to commemorate the dead of Easter 1916 and onward.[ citation needed ]

See also

References

  1. Foden, W. (2010). "Zantedeschia aethiopica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2010: e.T164507A5896429. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T164507A5896429.en . Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. "Zantedeschia aethiopica". Germplasm Resources Information Network . Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture . Retrieved 2017-12-18.
  3. 1 2 Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan ISBN   0-333-47494-5.
  4. "Zantedeschia aethiopica". SANBI PlantZAfrica.com. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
  5. Poisonous Plants of North Carolina Archived 2013-09-03 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 8-2-2009
  6. "Zantedeschia aethiopica". www.pfaf.org. Retrieved 2017-01-31.
  7. "Arum Lily". Weeds Australia Weed identification. Archived from the original on 2008-04-16. Retrieved 2008-04-23.
  8. "Arum lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica)". Declared plant in Western Australia. Archived from the original on 2008-07-19. Retrieved 2008-04-23. Dept Agriculture and Food, Western Australia
  9. 1 2 3 "Zantedeschia aethiopica Profile – California Invasive Plant Council" . Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  10. "Zantedeschia aethiopica 'Crowborough'". RHS. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  11. "Zantedeschia aethiopica 'Green Goddess'". RHS. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  12. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 108. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  13. Casierra-Posada, Fánor; Blanke, Michael M.; Guerrero-Guío, Juan Carlos (June 2014). "Iron Tolerance in Calla Lilies (Zantedeschia aethiopica)" . Gesunde Pflanzen. 66 (2): 63–68. doi:10.1007/s10343-014-0316-y. ISSN   0367-4223. S2CID   9473100.
  14. "National Flower ⋅ Saint Helena Island Info ⋅ About St Helena, in the South Atlantic Ocean". sainthelenaisland.info. Retrieved 2023-12-13.