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Arum Lily
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Arum Lily

Zantedeschia aethiopica

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
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Basic Details

NameArum Lily
DescriptionElegant plant featuring a distinctive trumpet or funnel-shaped spathe (modified leaf) that gracefully curves around a central finger-like spadix covered with tiny true flowers. White arum lilies are classic funeral and wedding flowers, while colored callas come in vibrant pink, yellow, purple, orange, and near-black shades. Despite the common name, not a true lily but a member of the aroid family, growing from fleshy rhizomes.
FamilyAraceae
GenusZantedeschia
TribeZantedeschieae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaBr ⚥ K(3+3) A3+3 G(3)

Bract (spathe) present, bisexual, perianth of 6 tepals in 2 whorls of 3 (though often reduced or absent in individual flowers), 6 stamens in 2 whorls of 3, 3 carpels with superior ovary. This describes individual tiny flowers on spadix

Features
  • Name 'Calla' comes from Greek 'kallos' meaning beauty. 'Arum Lily' refers to resemblance to Arum genus, though it's not a true lily (Liliaceae family). Zantedeschia honors Italian botanist Giovanni Zantedeschi
  • Showy spathe wraps around a central spadix bearing the true flowers - tiny and inconspicuous. White arum lily (Z. aethiopica) has pure white spathe; colored callas (Z. elliottiana, Z. rehmannii) bloom in rainbow hues. Spathes last 2-3 weeks on plant, 7-10 days as cut flowers
  • Rhizomatous perennial that grows from thick, fleshy underground stems. White arum lily is semi-aquatic and evergreen in mild climates; colored callas are deciduous with summer dormancy. Blooms spring through summer depending on species
  • Height ranges from 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) depending on variety. Dwarf varieties stay under 18 inches. Lifespan of 5-10 years with proper care. Propagated by division of rhizomes or from seed
  • Native to southern Africa, particularly South Africa's marshlands and stream banks. White arum lily grows naturally in wet areas; colored callas prefer drier conditions. Now cultivated worldwide
  • White arum lily thrives in full sun to partial shade and consistently moist to boggy soil, even growing in shallow water. Colored callas prefer well-drained soil and drier conditions. Both tolerate shade better than most flowering plants
  • All parts contain calcium oxalate crystals, toxic if ingested causing severe mouth and throat irritation. Popular cut flower for weddings, funerals, and formal arrangements. Symbolizes purity, rebirth, and resurrection in various cultures

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificZantedeschia aethiopica
English (Alternate)African Lily, Altar Lily, Calla aethiopica, and White Arum Lily
Hindiअरम लिली or ऐरम लिली (Arum Lily)
Tamilகாலா லில்லி (Kala Lily), ஆரம் லில்லி (Aram lily)
Teluguకల్లా లిల్లీ బల్బ్ (Kallā lillī balb)
Malayalam(പൂന്തറ) (Poonthara), (കട്ടാറപ്പൂ) (Katarappoo)
Kannadaಕ್ಯಾಲ್ಲಾ ಲಿಲಿ ಬಲ್ಬ್ (Kyāllā lili balb)
Sanskritसुकन्दक (sukandaka)
Bengaliক্যালা লিলি (Kala lili), ক্যালা লিলি বাল্ব (Kala lili balb)
Frencharum, arum blanc
Russianарум лилия (arum liliya), лилия (liliya), лилия филадельфийская (liliya filadelfskaya)
Spanishcala
GermanZimmerkalla, Lilie

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.