Natural History Story
The Genus Zantadeschia plant, also known as the Calla Lilly, is native to southern Africa from South Africa north to Malawi and its name was given as a tribute to Italian botanist Giovanni Zantedeschi by German botanist Kurt Sprengel. These beautiful flowers have been widely used in paintings, notably by artists Diego Rivera and Georgia O'Keeffe. The flower is also a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant that grows to 1-2.5 m tall with leaves that are usually 15-45 cm long. Surprisingly, these flowers are poisonous due to the presence of calcium oxalate. All parts of the flower and poisonous and coming in contact may result in local irritation or a burning sensation around the mouth and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. Ironically enough, the leaves are sometimes cooked and eaten. The flower can grow continuously when watered and fed regularly and is able to survive periods of minor frost. The flower is notably recognized for its inflorescence and white or brightly colored spathes.
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