Kingdom: Plantae
(Unranked): Angiosperms
(Unranked): Monocots
Order: Alismatales
Family: Araceae
Subfamily: Aroideae
Tribe: Zantedeschieae
Genus: Zantedeschia
Species: Z. aethiopica
Binomial name: Zantedeschia aethiopica
Common name: Lily of the Nile, Calla lily, It is also commonly known as the Arum lily, although the plant is not a true Arum
It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant a native from South Africa. It is an evergreen found in swampy areas and damp wasteland. It grows to 0.6-1 m tall, with large clumps of broad, arrow shaped dark green leaves up to 45 cm long. The Inflorescences are large, produced in spring, summer and autumn, with a pure white spathe up to 25 cm and a yellow spadix up to 90 mm long.
Zantedeschia aethiopica is native to southern Africa in Lesotho, South Africa, and Swaziland. The plant has been classified as a toxic weed and is a declared pest. It Impacts by smothering the ground layer preventing regeneration of natural flora.
Zantedeschia is highly toxic and may be fatal if eaten. All parts are poisonous, including the ripe spike of berries in the middle of the flower. Ingestion may cause a severe burning sensation and swelling of lips, tongue, and throat; stomach pain and diarrhoea are possible.
It is classed by New Zealand Biosecurity as a pest plant. It smothers ground, preventing regeneration of native flora. All parts of the plant poisonous to humans, pets and livestock. Seeds mainly spread by birds. Flowing water, animals also play a role. Local spread by rhizomes. Dumping of garden cuttings.
A dying petal exposing the ripe stigma
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This video is on the poisonous properties of all species of the arum lily.VIDEO
Thanks to Wikipedia for text and information:
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
