The Exotic Flower of Calla Lily

Zantedeschia is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Araceae, native to southern Africa from South Africa north to Malawi. The name of the genus was given as a tribute to Italian botanist Giovanni Zantedeschi (1773-1846) by the German botanist Kurt Sprengel (1766 - 1833). Common names include Arum lily for Z. aethiopica, calla, and calla lily for Z. elliottiana and Z. rehmannii although it is neither a true lily (Liliaceae), nor Arum or Calla (related genera in Araceae). It is also often erroneously spelled as "cala lily". It has often been used in many paintings, and is visible in many of Diego Rivera's works of art.

The Zantedeschia are rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plants growing to 1-2.5 m tall with leaves 15-45 cm long. The Calla lily leaves are 1 1/2' long, rich green. The green leaves of the calla lily are shaped like arrowheads and have white or silver speckles. The inflorescence is a showy white, yellow or pink spathe shaped like a funnel with a yellow, central, finger-like spadix. Calla lilies are easy to grow and are generally grown from bulb or rhizome.

Calla Lily symbolizes magnificence and beauty. White Calla lilies combine these two attributes with
purity and innocence associated with the color white to make it the perfect choice of flower in a Wedding bouquet.

Calla lilies are excellent houseplants, best for beds, borders, bouquets and flower arrangements. Calla Lilies signify magnificence and beauty. Further combined with the attributes associated with the color you choose Calla lilies can convey a wealth of meaning.

warrning!! Those with children and pets should use caution when growing calla lilies. They contain a poisonous ingredient called oxalic acid. If this plant is ingested, a poison control center should be called immediately.

How to growing Calla lilies
Plant Calla Lilies deeply for their good size.Plant them at 4 inches deep, spacing each bulb 12 inches apart. Start bulbs indoors in late winter and transplant them in the spring when danger of frost has passed. Apply a bulb fertilizer every month during the active growing season. Most Calla Lilies need a rest period after flowering. Let the leaves die back and let plants rest for 2 to 3 months. Then again resume watering to encourage new growth.

How to care calla lilies
# Dry them in the direct sun for a few days.
# Store in a dry location that remains between 50 and 60 degrees F.
# Plant the calla lily bulbs in spring after the soil has warmed and all danger of frost has passed.
# Fertilize monthly, and keep well watered.