Zantedeschia aethiopica Flower (28/04/2012, London)
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Flowering period: Spring to Autumn
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 1m
Eventual Spread: 60cm
Hardiness: 8a – 11
Family: Araceae
Zantedecia aethopica is a semi-evergreen herbaceous, perennial. Its mid green glossy leaves are simple, arrow shaped with entire margins, up to 45 cm long, and they are arranged alternately along the stems. Its white solitary flowers appear in spathes, are funnel shaped with a prominent yellow spadix and up to 10cm long. Its fruit appears in the form of a red berry. Its roots are rhizomatous.
Zantedeschia aethiopica (28/04/2012, London)
Zantedeschia aethopica, commonly known as Lily of the Nile, Arum Lilly, Calla Lily, Easter Lilly and Varkoor, is native to the south of the African continent. The Crowborough variety is a more cold tolerant cultivar. Linnaeus named this plant Calla aethiopica in 1753, hence one of its common names. This was amended to Zantedeschia aethopica in 1826.
The etymological root of the binomial name Zantedeschia is named after Professor Francesco Zantedeschia (1773-1846) a Century Italian priest and scientist. Aethiopica is a name derived from the Greek meaning ‘of Africa’ or ‘the land of the burnt faces’.
The landscape architect may find Zantedeschia aethopica useful in lush, bold planting schemes.
Zantedeschia aethiopica Leaf (28/04/2012, London)
Ecologically, Z. aethopica is attractive to bees an pollinating insects.
The Royal Horticultural Society has given Z. aethopica their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
Z. aethopica prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It prefers wet soils.
Z. eathopica requires little maintenance. Large clumps may be divided in spring.
