Have you ever seen a calla lily before? They are one of the most unique looking flowers out there, and they can be found in a variety of different colors. In this blog post, we’re going to take a closer look at these beautiful flowers, and learn more about their history and how to care for them. So if you’re interested in learning more about calla lilies, keep reading!
What Is Calla Lily?
The calla lily is a flowering plant that is typically found in the wetlands of North America, Europe, and Asia. It has long, green leaves that are sometimes variegated with white or cream-colored markings. The flowers of the calla lily are trumpet-shaped and come in a variety of colors, including pink, purple, yellow, and white.
During the Victorian era’s flower language craze, flowers were widely thought to be the greatest means to convey emotions. A gift of a calla lily was interpreted as overtly sexual since it was reminiscent of female genitalia. This meaning was popularized by fans like Sigmund Freud and artists such as Georgia O’Keeffe.
The calla lily is a beautiful flower that has a number of different uses. It can be used for everything from wedding decorations to centerpieces. Zantedeschia Species, like all Zantedeschias, are poisonous due to the crystals of calcium oxalate present in the form of rhodides. The plant is toxic throughout its whole body and typically produces irritation or a burning sensation in the mouth, with vomiting and diarrhea as severe symptoms. However, the calla lily can also be used as a food ingredient when it is cooked.
Most calla lilies are native to tropical regions of the world, but there are a few species that grow in temperate climates.
Calla lilies typically grow in wet areas such as swamps, marshes, and bogs. However, some species can also be found in drier habitats such as meadows, open woodlands, and disturbed sites.
How Is Calla Lily Raised?
All species are restricted to central and southern Africa, ranging from Nigeria to Tanzania and South Africa. When water is limited, Z. aethiopica becomes deciduous and lives in marshy areas. It grows when watered and nourished on a regular basis, and it can endure brief frosts when watered continuously.
Zantedeschia was brought to Europe in the 1600s as Z. aethiopica and is now widely established across Europe, North America, Central America, South America, Oceania, and Australasia. It has been called a hazardous invasive species that replaces native vegetation in many locations.
Calla LilyThe flowers of Zantedeschia are typically large and showy, with spathes that may be attractive to insects. Zantedeschias are winter-hardy plants that can withstand cold temperatures. The most common are hardy, drought-resistant florists’ hyacinths (Hyacinthe Angustifolia), which have large white flowers and smaller leaves. There are also less hardy kinds with white-spotted leaves and flowers in many colors, such as yellow, orange, pink, and purple.
Zantedeschia is primarily cultivated as a cut-flower and/or planting material in California, Colombia, New Zealand, and Kenya. Breeders in California and New Zealand continue to develop new hybrid cultivars. The so-called white calla comes from Z. aethiopica. The majority of the varieties with yellow, orange, red, or purple flowers are derived from Z. albomaculata, Z. pentlandii, Z. elliottiana, and Z. rehmanni.
