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Zantedeschia aethiopica (L.) Spreng.

Giant white arum lily, common arum lily, lily of the nile, calla lily, Easter lily, varkoor

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassLiliopsidaMonocots (plants with a single seed leaf); includes the lily family
SubclassAlismatidaeAquatic and marshy plants
OrderAlismatalesHerbaceous flowering plants found in marshy habitats
FamilyAraceaeArum family, with plants whose flower is enclosed in a spathe
GenusZantedeschiaFor Italian botanist Giovanni Zantedeschi (1773–1846)
SpeciesaethiopicaAethiopica doesn’t really mean Ethiopia: in classical times it meant south of the known world (Egypt and Libya)

About plant names...

The giant white arum lily is native to Lesotho, South Africa, Kenya, and Swaziland in southern Africa. It is becoming naturalized in North America. The "arum lily" is not a member of either the Arum or Lilium genus.

Identification: These lilies reach 2-3′ (60-91 cm) in height, and are found in wet areas or shallow water. Although evergreen, they will lose their leaves during dry periods. The pure white flower (actually a modified leaf called a spathe) is a creamy pink color toward the center. The actual flower is the central spadix, which is yellow, tipped with white.

Edibility: Poisonous Skull & Crossbones All parts of this plant contain high levels of calcium oxalate, which produces a severe burning sensation when eaten, as well as dermatitis.

Online References:

The South African National Biodiversity Institute's web site, plantzafrica.com

Floridata.com

The University of Connecticut Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Plant Growth Facilities

Calflora

Calla aethiopica L.

 

Zantedeschia aethiopica description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

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Zantedeschia aethiopica (giant white arum lily, common arum lily, lily of the nile, calla lily, Easter lily, varkoor)

2/24/2010 · San Diego (Quail) Botanic Garden, Encinitas, Cali­fornia ID is uncertain

Zantedeschia aethiopica (giant white arum lily, common arum lily, lily of the nile, calla lily, Easter lily, varkoor)

2/24/2010 · San Diego (Quail) Botanic Garden, Encinitas, Cali­fornia · ≈ 15 × 10″ (37 × 25 cm) ID is uncertain

Range: Zones 8-10:

About this map...