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Arum Lily
Zantedeschia aethiopica
SA tree number
English: Arum Lily, Calla Lily, Egyptian Lily, Florist’s Calla, Garden Calla, White Arum Lily, Jack‑in‑the‑Pulpit, Lily‑of‑the‑Nile, Pig Lily, White Arum
Afrikaans: Aronskelk, Hottentotsblare, Hottentotsbrood, Pig Lily variants: Varkblaar, Varkblom, Varkiesblaar, Varkiesblom, Varklelie, Varkoor, Varkore, Varkwortel, Witvarkoor, Ystervarkwortel
Xhosa: Intebe
Zulu: Ihlukwe
Historical botanical names: Calla aethiopica, Richardia aethiopica, Richardia africana
Zantedeschia aethiopica, commonly known as the Arum Lily or Calla Lily, is a South African indigenous marsh plant with arrow‑shaped dark green leaves and striking pure white funnel‑shaped flowers with a yellow central spike. The plants form lush clumps and commonly grow in wet ground or beside streams.
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Distinguishing features:
Arrow‑shaped dark green leaves up to approximately 45 cm long
Large white spathes up to 25 cm long surrounding a yellow spadix up to 9 cm
Grows from a rhizome, forming dense clumps in marshy areas
Evergreen or deciduous depending on water availability and rainfall regime
Overall appearance:
Herbaceous perennial forming dense clumps; heart‑shaped leaves; evergreen in adequate water/temperature, otherwise deciduous.
Height:
0.6–1 m tall
Leaves:
Broad heart‑shaped or arrow‑shaped dark green leaves up to 45 cm long.
Inflorescences / Flowers:
Single large white, cone‑shaped spathe surrounding a central yellow spadix; faint sweet fragrance; flowers borne all year round in well‑watered conditions; spathe up to 25 cm and spadix up to 90 mm long.
Fruits:
After flowering, central column develops into a dense mass of small, fleshy, orange fruits.
Stems:
Flower stems erect, supporting large inflorescences
Roots:
Rhizome‑based; plants multiply by rhizome offsets
Soil type:
Marshy soil, damp grassland or stream banks; adaptable to many soils including saline coastal and high‑altitude misty grasslands
Aspect:
Grows in full sun to shade; evergreen where water is adequate; becomes dormant in dry periods depending on rainfall zone
Toxicity:
All parts poisonous; contains calcium oxalate crystals causing irritation, burning sensation if ingested, swelling, stomach pain, diarrhoea
Uses:
Commonly cultivated as ornamental and cut‑flower; versatile garden plant adaptable to diverse habitats
Ecology:
Flowers faintly scented to attract crawling insects and bees for pollination
A white crab spider visits the flower to prey on insects using camouflage
In Western Cape, a tiny frog Hyperolius hopstocki is attracted to the flowers
Fruits are relished by birds.
Porcupines and pigs eat the underground tubers.
Distribution and habitat:
Found naturally in Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu‑Natal, Mpumalanga, Free State, Northern Cape, North West, Limpopo
Native also to Lesotho and Eswatini
Occurs from coastal marshes to high‑altitude grasslands up to 2 250 m
Derivation of name:
Zantedeschia named after botanist Zantedeschi
aethiopica historically refers to regions south of ancient Egypt, not modern Ethiopia
Historical aspects:
Introduced to Europe before 1697, named in 17th century, illustrated in Paris in 1664 as one of early Cape plants
Interesting facts:
It was sent from the Cape to Europe before Van Riebeeck’s arrival in 1652
A white crab spider cleverly blends into the white flower to hunt prey
Tiny frog species may use the flower as a meeting or feeding spot
Growing tips:
Plant in moist or marshy positions; keep well‑watered through summer to stay evergreen
In winter‑rainfall regions, plants may go dormant in summer; in summer‑rainfall regions, dormancy occurs in winter
Can be divided by splitting rhizome clumps at start of spring
Avoid overwatering in poorly aerated soil to prevent rot; ensure some drainage
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
Common name
Scientific Name
Plant type:
Plant type
Plant family:
Araceae (Greek and Latin plant name) - Order: Alismatales