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Zantedeschia aethiopica
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Zantedeschia aethiopica

plant
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Quick Summary

Zantedeschia aethiopica, commonly known as the calla lily, is a plant native to South Africa. It is a stout herb characterized by fragrant white spathes, which are often mistaken for petals, and arrow-shaped leaves that emerge from a thick rootstock. This plant is widely cultivated as a popular indoor ornamental and is commercially grown for cut flowers.1

The genus Zantedeschia belongs to the arum family (Araceae). While Zantedeschia aethiopica is the most common species referred to as a calla lily, other species like the golden calla lily (Z. elliottiana) and pink calla lily (Z. rehmannii) are also cultivated. The juice of a related plant, Calla palustris (water arum), is poisonous.1

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  1. calla
  2. Zantedeschia

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