arum lily

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Altar-Lily
• arum-lily
• calla-lily
• common calla
• common calla-lily
• lily-of-the-Nile
• pig-lily
• trumpet-lily
• white arum-lily
• Arum Lily
• Arun Lily
• Common Arum
• Common Arum Lily
• Egyption Lily
• Florist's Calla
• Garden Calla
• Green Cala Lily
• Green Goddess
• Jack-In-The-Pulpit
• Lily Of The Nile
• Pig Lily
• White Arum
• White Arum Lily
• White Calla
• Zantedeschia aethiopica 'green goddess'
• calla lily

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Arodes aethiopicum
• Colocasia aethiopica
• Otosma aethiopica
• Richardia aethiopica
• Calla aethiopica
• Calla ambigua
• Pseudohomalomena pastoensis
• Calla aethiopica var. nana

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically placing it within the class Equisetopsida. Following its classification through the subclass Magnoliidae and order Alismatales, it is further categorized under the family Araceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its membership in the genus Zantedeschia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several European regions. In Northern Europe, its presence can be documented within Great Britain and Ireland. Moving toward the Mediterranean, the species is also found in Southwestern Europe. Specifically, it inhabits the island of Corse and the coastal areas of Portugal. Finally, its geographical range extends to the island of Sardegna in the same southwestern region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Xanthodendron aethiopicum (often referred via its synonym Zantedeschia aethiopicum in certain botanical contexts, though typically associated with the genus Xanthodendron or specific African floral profiles) is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution and specific habitat preferences. This species thrives across a diverse elevational gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 2250 m AMSL. Its primary ecological niche is situated within lowland habitats, where it integrates into the local flora to fulfill its biological requirements within these specific environmental parameters.

Elevational range max:

2250 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Lowland

Genetics

The genetics of Zantedechia aethiopicum are characterized by significant chromosomal variability, which reflects a complex cytogenetic profile. Within various studied populations and accessions, the species exhibits a diverse range of ploidy levels or chromosomal configurations, specifically documented with chromosome numbers of 24, 28, and 32. This variation in chromosome number suggests a high degree of genetic plasticity and potentially evolutionary processes such as polyploidy or chromosomal rearrangements, which may contribute to the plant's adaptability across different ecological niches.

Chromosome number :

24, 28, 32

Life history

The life history of Zantedeschia aethiopica is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. It functions as a geophyte, surviving unfavorable periods by storing nutrients and energy within specialized underground structures. Within the broader classification of life forms, it is identified as a cryptophyte, as its regenerative organs are protected beneath the soil surface. Furthermore, the plant maintains an evergreen deciduousness, retaining its foliage throughout much of its development to support continuous photosynthetic activity.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Zantedeschia aethiopica is characterized by a non-woody, herbaceous growth form, specifically categorized as a forb. This terrestrial plant is independent and does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte. It is a self-supporting species rather than a climber or a liana, maintaining its structure without the need for external support. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches a mean height of 1 m, with individual specimens varying in height from a minimum of 0.34 m to a maximum of 1.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height mean:

1 m

Plant height min:

0.34 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Zantedeschia aethiopicas is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation efficiency. The plant exhibits significant morphological variability in its foliage, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 15 cm to a maximum of 100 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width displays a broad spectrum, with a minimum measurement of 6 cm, a maximum of 60 cm, and a mean width of approximately 16.5 cm. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on external nutrient availability within the soil rather than symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria to satisfy its nitrogen requirements.

Leaf length max:

100 cm

Leaf length min:

15 cm

Leaf width max:

60 cm

Leaf width mean:

16.5 cm

Leaf width min:

6 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Zantedeschia aethiopica involves both sexual and asexual mechanisms, with the sexual process characterized by bisexual flowers. The flowering period typically begins in November and extends through June. During the flowering stage, the plant produces yellow flowers, often arranged in inflorescences that can reach a maximum length of 0.09 meters. Pollination is driven by biotic factors, specifically utilizing an insect pollination syndrome. The plant exhibits an absence of self-fertilization, relying on these external vectors to facilitate genetic exchange. Following successful pollination, the plant develops orange-colored fruit classified as a berry. These fruits are indehiscent, measuring approximately 1 cm in both length and width. Each fruit is prolific, containing between 101 and 1000 seeds. The seeds are relatively small, with a mean mass of 0.02028 g (ranging from a minimum of 0.02026 g to a maximum of 0.02026 g). Dispersal occurs through an unspecialized syndrome, though it is also noted to be anthropochorous.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flower colour :

yellow

Flowering time :

Nov

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit colour :

orange

Fruit length mean:

1 cm

Fruit type :

berry

Fruit width mean:

1 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.09 m

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

present

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.02026 g

Seed mass mean:

0.02028 g

Seeds_per_fruit :

101-1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Zantedeschia aethiopica has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include GA3, GIBBERELLIC ACID.

GA3

1. Heliyon

GIBBERELLIC ACID

1. Heliyon

Conditions

Zantedeschia aethiopica has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include bacterial infections.

Bacterial infections

1. PloS one