Zantedeschia Or Arum Lilies Flowers

Zantedeschia Or Arum Lilies Flowers - Uk Londo

Name : Zantedeschia or Arum Lilies Flowers
Latin Name : Genus: Zantedeschia, (Z. aethiopica)

Zantedeschia or Arum Lilies Description

Zantedeschia is a genus comprising of eight species of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Araceae, native to southern Africa from South Africa north to Malawi. The genus was named as a tribute to Italian botanist Giovanni Zantedeschi (1773–1846) by the German botanist Kurt Sprengel (1766–1833).

Common names for Zantedeschia flowers include Arum Lily or White Calla for Zantedeschia aethiopica, and Calla or Calla Lily for Zantedeschia elliottiana and Zantedeschia rehmannii. The Royal Horticultural Society has given the Zantedeschia species the prestigious Award of Garden Merit. California and New Zealand continue to produce an extensive range of new hybrid cultivars of Zantedeschia. Extensive commercial production of Zantedeschia for cut flowers occurs in California, Colombia, New Zealand and Kenya.

All Zantedeschias are popular for their large, showy flowers spathes and are often grown both as ornamental plants and for cut flowers. The Zantedeschia aethiopica or Arum Lilies are rhizome forming, herbaceous perennial plants that grow to 1-2.5 metres tall. Arum Lily is a robust and marsh-loving plant with a thick rhizome, and a tuft of fleshy stalked, green leaves 60-90 cm high. Zantedeschia foliage is heart shaped and often comes with decorative spots. The flower stalk of Arum Lily bears the large, funnel-shaped rolling flaring waxy-white spathe which is 20-25 cm long, surrounding a bright yellow spadix. The white spathe turns green after flowering and covers the ripening berries.

The striking arum lily “flower” is actually composed of many tiny flowers arranged in a complex spiral pattern on the central column or spadix. These tiny flowers are divided into male and female zones on the spadix: The top 7 cm are entirely male flowers and the lower 1.8 cm portion of the spadix comprises of female flowers. The spadix is surrounded by a white spathe. According to Marloth, the whiteness of the spathe is not caused by pigmentation, but is actually an optical effect produced by numerous airspaces beneath the epidermis.

The faintly scented white Arum lily attracts various crawling insects and bees which are responsible for pollinating the flowers. A white crab spider belonging to the family Thomisidae visits the flower to eat these insects. This spider does not spin webs to catch its prey; instead it uses its whiteness as camouflage against the spathe. In the Western Cape, a tiny frog Hyperolius hopstocki is also attracted to the Arum Lily.

Zantedeschia aethiopica or Arum lilies are hardy plants that are able to grow in many soils and habitats. Arum lilies prefer moist, boggy soil in partially shaded areas. They prefer to be near water and can survive in full sun in a marshy habitat. Zantedeschia varieties flower for long periods throughout the summer with dramatic and exotic shaped flowers. Arum lily is naturalised and regarded as a weed throughout much of the world. The white Zantedeschia aethiopica and some of its relatives are winter hardy and can survive at minimum winter temperatures below -23 °C.

Zantedeschia are poisonous as they contain calcium oxalate. All parts of the plant are considered toxic, and produce irritation and swelling of the mouth and throat, acute vomiting and diarrhea. However Zantedeschia leaves are sometimes cooked and eaten.

Arum lilies propagate by rhizome-offsets or seeds sown in spring. Division of old plants can be done from March to May.

Arum Lilies make exotic houseplants as well as summer border or container plants. Arum lilies are striking architectural plants with large, glossy foliage and large, white, hood-shaped flowers. Arum Lilies look best when grown beside water, in shallow pond margins or a bog garden, where they associate well with other water plants. Arum Lilies can also be grown in damp shaded borders with other moisture lovers. In cold regions or when early flowers are wanted for cutting, Arum lilies can be grown in large pots of rich compost in an unheated or frost-free greenhouse.

Arum lilies are very popular as cut flowers and have a vase life of 6-10 days. Arum Lilies are used extensively as a commercial cut flower, for weddings and funerals. In Floral Art and Floristry the grace and form of Arum Lily makes it very popular for the contemporary designer.

Zantedeschia species have had a prominent niche in art as well. Many artists have portrayed Calla lily and Arum lilies in their paintings.

Zantedeschia or Arum Lilies Meaning

The graceful and elegant Arum Lily or Zantedeschia symbolizes Magnificence and Beauty. The White Arum Lily is a symbol of Purity and these elegant flowers have graced many bridal bouquets.

Zantedeschia or Arum Lilies Mythology