arum lily
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''Zantedeschia'' is a
genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nom ...
of eight species of herbaceous,
perennial A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives more than two years. The term ('' per-'' + '' -ennial'', "through the years") is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. The term is also wid ...
,
flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. The term "angiosperm" is derived from the Greek words ('container, vessel') and ('seed'), and refers to those plants th ...
s in the
family Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...
Araceae The Araceae are a family of monocotyledonous flowering plants in which flowers are borne on a type of inflorescence called a spadix. The spadix is usually accompanied by, and sometimes partially enclosed in, a spathe (or leaf-like bract). A ...
, native to southern
Africa Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia in both cases. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area ...
from
South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the Atlantic Ocean, South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the ...
north to
Malawi Malawi (; or aláwi Tumbuka: ''Malaŵi''), officially the Republic of Malawi, is a landlocked country in Southeastern Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the west, Tanzania to the north and northeas ...
. The genus has been introduced on all continents except
Antarctica Antarctica () is Earth's southernmost and least-populated continent. Situated almost entirely south of the Antarctic Circle and surrounded by the Southern Ocean, it contains the geographic South Pole. Antarctica is the fifth-largest cont ...
. Common names include arum lily for ''Z. aethiopica'' and calla and calla lily for ''Z. elliottiana'' and ''Z. rehmannii'', although members of the genus are neither true
lilies ''Lilium'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants growing from bulbs, all with large prominent flowers. They are the true lilies. Lilies are a group of flowering plants which are important in culture and literature in much of the world. M ...
of
Liliaceae The lily family, Liliaceae, consists of about 15 genera and 610 species of flowering plants within the order Liliales. They are monocotyledonous, perennial, herbaceous, often bulbous geophytes. Plants in this family have evolved with a fair a ...
, true ''
Arum ''Arum'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Araceae, native to Europe, northern Africa, and western and central Asia, with the highest species diversity in the Mediterranean region. Frequently called arum lilies, they are not closely ...
s'', nor true ''
Calla ''Calla'' (bog arum, marsh calla, wild calla, squaw claw, and water-arumDickinson, T.; Metsger, D.; Bull, J.; & Dickinson, R. (2004) ROM Field Guide to Wildflowers of Ontario. Toronto:Royal Ontario Museum, p. 62.) is a genus of flowering plant i ...
s'' (related genera in
Araceae The Araceae are a family of monocotyledonous flowering plants in which flowers are borne on a type of inflorescence called a spadix. The spadix is usually accompanied by, and sometimes partially enclosed in, a spathe (or leaf-like bract). A ...
). The colourful flowers and leaves of both species and cultivars are greatly valued and commonly grown as ornamental plants.


Description

''Zantedeschia'' species are
rhizomatous In botany and dendrology, a rhizome (; , ) is a modified subterranean plant stem that sends out roots and shoots from its nodes. Rhizomes are also called creeping rootstalks or just rootstalks. Rhizomes develop from axillary buds and grow ho ...
, herbaceous,
perennial plant A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives more than two years. The term ('' per-'' + '' -ennial'', "through the years") is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. The term is also wide ...
s with some species, e. g., ''Zantedeschia aethiopica'', growing to 1.2m tall, while ''Zantedeschia rehmannii'' does not exceed 60 cm in height, growing in clumps or clusters.
Root In vascular plants, the roots are the organs of a plant that are modified to provide anchorage for the plant and take in water and nutrients into the plant body, which allows plants to grow taller and faster. They are most often below the su ...
s: Contractile, emerging from the top of the tubers in Group II.
Stem: The underground portion is variously described as a thick underground stem, i. e., a rhizome or
tuber Tubers are a type of enlarged structure used as storage organs for nutrients in some plants. They are used for the plant's perennation (survival of the winter or dry months), to provide energy and nutrients for regrowth during the next growin ...
. While the literature is confusing as to the exact terminology, generally the ''Zantedeschia aethiopica''-''Zantedeschia odorata'' group (Group I) is considered to have rhizomes and the remaining species tubers. The rhizomes are fleshy and branched.
Leaves: Petioles are long, spongy, sheathed at the bases, and of varying lengths, from 15 cm (''Zantedeschia rehmannii'') to 1.5 m (''Zantedeschia aethiopica''). The lamina is simple, elongated, and coriaceous with a variety of
shapes A shape or figure is a graphical representation of an object or its external boundary, outline, or external surface, as opposed to other properties such as color, texture, or material type. A plane shape or plane figure is constrained to lie o ...
, including triangular, oval (ovate), with or without a point (elliptic), heart-shaped (cordate), spear-shaped (hastate), lance-shaped (lanceolate), oblong, or circular (orbicular). 15–60 cm in length, 5–25 cm in width. The leaves are dark green in colour, feather-veined (pinnate), and may be erect or spreading with undulate margins. Some species exhibit transparent flecking ( maculation), and are therefore described as maculate, while others are immaculate. (see Table I, also New Zealand Calla Council Leaf Shape Images) The leaves contain hydathodes that result in
guttation Guttation is the exudation of drops of xylem sap on the tips or edges of leaves of some vascular plants, such as grasses, and a number of fungi, which are not plants but were previously categorized as such and studied as part of botany. Guttation ...
.
Inflorescence An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a Plant stem, stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Morphology (biology), Morphologically, it is the modified part of the shoot of sperma ...
: Takes the form of a solitary
pseudanthium A pseudanthium (Greek for "false flower"; ) is an inflorescence that resembles a flower. The word is sometimes used for other structures that are neither a true flower nor a true inflorescence. Examples of pseudanthia include flower heads, compos ...
(false flower), with a showy white or yellow
spathe In botany, a bract is a modified or specialized leaf, especially one associated with a reproductive structure such as a flower, inflorescence axis or cone scale. Bracts are usually different from foliage leaves. They may be smaller, larger, or of ...
(a specialised petal like bract) shaped like a funnel with a yellow, central, finger-like spadix, which carries the true flowers. Both spathe and spadix are carried on or above the leaves on the fleshy flower stem. The shape of the spathe whose overlapping margins form the tubes varies from trumpet shaped (''Z. pentlandii'') to a tight tube with a tapering tip (''Z. rehmannii''). The spathe is initially green, but as it unfolds becomes coloured. This may be white as in ''Z. aethiopica'', but other species include yellow and pink. Cultivars have a wide variety of other spathe colours including orange and purple. Inside the spathe, the throat may be darkly coloured. The spathe acts to attract
pollinators A pollinator is an animal that moves pollen from the male anther of a flower to the female stigma of a flower. This helps to bring about fertilization of the ovules in the flower by the male gametes from the pollen grains. Insects are the maj ...
.
Flowers A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants (plants of the division Angiospermae). The biological function of a flower is to facilitate reproduction, usually by providing a mechanism ...
: ''Zantedeschia'' is monoecious, in which separate male (staminate) and female (pistillate) flowers ("imperfect" or "unisexual" flowers) are carried on the spadix. The flowers are small and non-blooming without a perianth. The male flowers contain two to three
stamens The stamen (plural ''stamina'' or ''stamens'') is the pollen-producing reproductive organ of a flower. Collectively the stamens form the androecium., p. 10 Morphology and terminology A stamen typically consists of a stalk called the filame ...
fused to form a synandrium, and the female flowers have a single, compound pistil with three fused carpels and three
locules A locule (plural locules) or loculus (plural loculi) (meaning "little place" in Latin) is a small cavity or compartment within an organ or part of an organism (animal, plant, or fungus). In angiosperms (flowering plants), the term ''locule'' usu ...
.
Fruit In botany, a fruit is the seed-bearing structure in flowering plants that is formed from the ovary after flowering. Fruits are the means by which flowering plants (also known as angiosperms) disseminate their seeds. Edible fruits in particu ...
: Beaked orange or red berries.


Taxonomy

''Zantedeschia'' is the sole genus in the tribe Zantedeschieae in a 1997 classification of the Araceae.


Species

Eight species are currently recognized: * ''
Zantedeschia aethiopica ''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. Description ''Zantedeschia aethiopica'' is a rhizo ...
'' (L.) Spreng. – giant white arum lily or common arum lily - South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho * '' Zantedeschia albomaculata'' (Hook.) Baill. – spotted arum lily - widespread from South Africa north to Nigeria and Tanzania * '' Zantedeschia elliottiana'' ( W.Watson) Engl. – yellow or golden arum lily - Mpumalanga Province of South Africa * '' Zantedeschia jucunda'' Letty - Leolo Mountains of northern South Africa * '' Zantedeschia odorata'' P.L.Perry - Western Cape Province * '' Zantedeschia pentlandii'' (R.Whyte ex W.Watson) Wittm. - Mpumalanga Province of South Africa * '' Zantedeschia rehmannii'' Engl. – pink arum lily - South Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique * '' Zantedeschia valida'' (Letty) Y.Singh - KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa


Etymology

The name of the genus was given as a tribute to Italian botanist Giovanni Zantedeschi (1773–1846) by the German botanist
Kurt Sprengel Kurt Polycarp Joachim Sprengel (3 August 1766 – 15 March 1833) was a German botanist and physician who published an influential multivolume history of medicine, ''Versuch einer pragmatischen Geschichte der Arzneikunde'' (1792–99 in four vol ...
(1766–1833).


Distribution and habitat

All species are endemic to central and southern
Africa Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia in both cases. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area ...
, from
Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...
to
Tanzania Tanzania (; ), officially the United Republic of Tanzania ( sw, Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania), is a country in East Africa within the African Great Lakes region. It borders Uganda to the north; Kenya to the northeast; Comoro Islands ...
and
South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the Atlantic Ocean, South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the ...
. ''Z. aethiopica'' grows naturally in marshy areas and is only
deciduous In the fields of horticulture and Botany, the term ''deciduous'' () means "falling off at maturity" and "tending to fall off", in reference to trees and shrubs that seasonally shed leaves, usually in the autumn; to the shedding of petals, ...
when water becomes scarce. It grows continuously when watered and fed regularly 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 much of the world. ''Z. odorata'' is a rare species, resembling ''Z. aethiopica'', but deciduous and smelling like
freesia ''Freesia'' is a genus of herbaceous perennial flowering plants in the family Iridaceae, first described as a genus in 1866 by Christian Friedrich Ecklon (1886) and named after the German botanist and medical practitioner, Friedrich Freese (1795 ...
, endemic to a few localities in South Africa. ''Z. albomaculata'' is a widespread and variable species, growing from South Africa north to
Kenya ) , national_anthem = " Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Nairobi , coordinates = , largest_city = Nairobi ...
, varying in shades of white to cream and pink to orange-shades. ''Z. jucunda'' and ''Z. pentlandii'' are rare species with large yellow showy flowers. ''Z. rehmannii'' is a pink-flowered species with sword shaped leaves. ''Z. elliotiana'' is known from horticultural sources only and is probably of hybrid origin.


Introduction

''Zantedeschia'' was introduced to
Europe Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a subcontinent of Eurasia and it is located entirel ...
in the seventeenth century as ''Z. aethiopica'', and is now widely naturalised in
Europe Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a subcontinent of Eurasia and it is located entirel ...
, North America,
Central America Central America ( es, América Central or ) is a subregion of the Americas. Its boundaries are defined as bordering the United States to the north, Colombia to the south, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. ...
,
South America South America is a continent entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere at the northern tip of the continent. It can also be described as the sout ...
,
Oceania Oceania (, , ) is a geographical region that includes Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. Spanning the Eastern and Western hemispheres, Oceania is estimated to have a land area of and a population of around 44.5 million ...
, and
Australasia Australasia is a region that comprises Australia, New Zealand and some neighbouring islands in the Pacific Ocean. The term is used in a number of different contexts, including geopolitically, physiogeographically, philologically, and ecologi ...
. In many places it is considered a dangerous invasive species that displaces native vegetation. In the South-West of Western Australia, ''Z. aethiopica'' was introduced for horticulture, but has become a widespread and conspicuous weed of watercourses, heath, and wet pastures to the extent that it has been declared a pest in
Western Australia Western Australia (commonly abbreviated as WA) is a state of Australia occupying the western percent of the land area of Australia excluding external territories. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to th ...
and landowners must control it and attempts to sell plants must be reported. ''Zantedeschia'' in North America is primarily grown as ornamental cultivars in home gardens.


Habitat

''Z. aethiopica'' grows naturally in marshy areas and is only
deciduous In the fields of horticulture and Botany, the term ''deciduous'' () means "falling off at maturity" and "tending to fall off", in reference to trees and shrubs that seasonally shed leaves, usually in the autumn; to the shedding of petals, ...
when water becomes scarce. It grows continuously when watered and fed regularly 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.


Cultivation

All ''Zantedeschia'' produce large, showy flowers spathes and are often grown both as
ornamental plant Ornamental plants or garden plants are plants that are primarily grown for their beauty but also for qualities such as scent or how they shape physical space. Many flowering plants and garden varieties tend to be specially bred cultivars that ...
s and for cut flowers. ''Zantedeschia'' are relatively hardy plants, but some are more winter-hardy than others. In this regard there may be considered two groups, a hardy outdoor group with large white flowers (arum lilies) and less hardy group with white-spotted leaves and flowers in many colours (calla lilies), such as yellow, orange, pink and purple.


Hardy forms (arum lilies)

These include ''Zantedeschia aethiopica'' and ''Zantedeschia pentlandii'' and their cultivars. ''Zantedeschia aethiopica'' and some of its relatives can survive at minimum winter temperatures below -23 °C (
USDA The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the federal executive department responsible for developing and executing federal laws related to farming, forestry, rural economic development, and food. It aims to meet the needs of com ...
Zone 6) and many others can be grown in even warmer areas where all the ground does not freeze (
USDA The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the federal executive department responsible for developing and executing federal laws related to farming, forestry, rural economic development, and food. It aims to meet the needs of com ...
Zone 7). ''Z. pentlandii'' hybrids include 'Millennium Gold'.


Tender forms (calla lilies)

The more tender specimens are mainly cultivars (hybrids) of ''Zantedeschia elliotiana'' and ''Zantedeschia rehmannii'' (referred to as elliotiana or rehmannii cultivars or hybrids, or as e.g. ''Z.'' × ''rehmanii''), but also ''Zantedeschia albomaculata'' and ''Zantedeschia jucunda''. These less hardy forms can only survive winter temperatures to −12 °C ( Zones 8). This plant must be grown as tender bulbs or
houseplant A houseplant, sometimes known as a pot plant, potted plant, or an indoor plant, is an ornamental plant that is grown indoors. As such, they are found in places like residences and offices, mainly for decorative purposes. Common houseplants are us ...
s in cooler areas. Species and hybrids between ''Z. elliotiana'', ''Z. jucunda'', ''Z. pentlandii'' and ''Z. rehmannii'' appear to have an optimum temperature for growth near 25 °C, with growth being suppressed once daily average temperatures persist at 28 °C.Funnell, K.A. 1993. Zantedeschia, p.683-739. In: A.A. De Hertogh & M. Le Nard (eds.) The physiology of flower 'bulbs'. Elsevier Scientific Publishers, Amsterdam ''Z. rehmannii'' hybrids include 'Amethyst', 'Crystal Blush' and 'Neon Amour', while an example of a ''Z. elliotiana'' × ''Z. rehmannii'' hybrid would be 'Blaze'. ''Z. elliotiana'' × ''Z. maculata'' hybrids include 'Lemon Drop'. ''Z. elliotiana'' hybrids include 'Solar Flare'.


Seasonal grouping

Other classifications consider two groups based on their seasonal habits. ''Zantedeschia aethiopica'' and ''Zantedeschia odorata'' form one group (Group I) typified by retaining their leaves in winter, and flowering from late winter to late spring, while the remaining species (Group II) are in leaf from spring to late autumn shedding their leaves in winter (deciduous) and flower during the summer. ''Zantedeschia aethiopica'' may retain its leaves all year round (evergreen), otherwise from autumn to late summer, while ''Zantedeschia odorata'' retains its leaves from late winter to late spring. The two groups also vary according to the arrangement of the male and female organs. In the first group they are arranged together in the lower part of the spadix, whereas in the latter they are separate, with the female at the base. The ''Z. aethiopica'' group also have a fruit that turns soft and orange, whereas the other retains a firm green fruit.


Toxicity

''Zantedeschia'' shares the general properties of the family
Araceae The Araceae are a family of monocotyledonous flowering plants in which flowers are borne on a type of inflorescence called a spadix. The spadix is usually accompanied by, and sometimes partially enclosed in, a spathe (or leaf-like bract). A ...
in causing contact irritation. ''Zantedeschia'' species are also poisonous due to the presence of calcium oxalate crystals in the form of
raphides Raphides (pronounced /ˈræfɪˌdiz/, singular raphide /ˈreɪfʌɪd/ or raphis) are needle-shaped crystals of calcium oxalate monohydrate ( prismatic monoclinic crystals) or calcium carbonate as aragonite ( dipyramidal orthorhombic crystals), ...
. All parts of the plant are poisonous, typically producing local irritation or a burning sensation in the mouth and occasionally vomiting and diarrhea. However leaves are sometimes cooked and eaten.


Uses

Extensive commercial production of Zantedeschia for cut flowers and/or planting material occurs in California, Colombia, New Zealand and Kenya. Plant breeders in California and New Zealand continue to produce an extensive range of new hybrid cultivars. The so-called white calla derived from ''Z. aethiopica''. All varieties with flowers with shades of yellow, orange, red, purple are mainly derived from ''Z. albomaculata'', ''Z. pentlandii'', ''Z. elliottiana'' and ''Z. rehmanni''.


Culture

Zantedeschia has often been used in paintings and is featured in many of
Diego Rivera Diego María de la Concepción Juan Nepomuceno Estanislao de la Rivera y Barrientos Acosta y Rodríguez, known as Diego Rivera (; December 8, 1886 – November 24, 1957), was a prominent Mexican painter. His large frescoes helped establish the ...
's works of art (see ''The Flower Vendor'', amongst others). It was a favourite subject of the painter
Georgia O'Keeffe Georgia Totto O'Keeffe (November 15, 1887 – March 6, 1986) was an American modernist artist. She was known for her paintings of enlarged flowers, New York skyscrapers, and New Mexico landscapes. O'Keeffe has been called the "Mother of Ame ...
. During the flower language boom in the
Victorian era In the history of the United Kingdom and the British Empire, the Victorian era was the period of Queen Victoria's reign, from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. The era followed the Georgian period and preceded the Edwardia ...
, there were strict social codes and flowers were considered the best medium to express feelings. Flowers delivered their messages subtly and every aspect of flower-gifting carried specific meanings, from the person who made the offer to the way the flowers were arranged. Each type of flower was associated with a specific, symbolic meaning. Due to the calla lily's resemblance to female genitalia, a gift of calla lily delivered an overtly sexual message. This meaning was popularized by admirers like Freud and artists like Georgia O'Keeffe."Calla Lily Meaning & Cala Lily Flower Symbols in the Language of Flowers." Calla Lily Meaning & Cala Lily Flower Symbols in the Language of Flowers. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 June 2014.


References


External links


Pacific Callas

Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN): Zantedeschia





Snijder, R.C. 2004. ''Genetics of Erwinia resistance in Zantedeschia: impact of plastome-genome incompatibility''
PhD thesis Wageningen University. - p. 112. {{Authority control Araceae genera Garden plants of Southern Africa