Zantedeschia

Calla Lily

This exotic plant is a native of South Africa. In some parts of the world, Calla means only the large white plants (Zantedeschia aethippica) commonly used for weddings and funerals, but the Golden Yellow Calla (Z. elliottiana) has long been available wherever summer-flowering bulbs are sold. Callas are grown outside in warm areas, and in cold areas they are grown in greenhouses for cut flowers. Hybrid Callas have only recently become available.

The first commercial Calla variety was called Richardias. These varieties include white (R. albo maculata), pink (R. rehmannii) and yellow (R. elliottiana). The yellow is the most common one. The newest, most interesting Callas are the hybrid Richardias, Rancho strain. This strain introduces the new colors of deep purple, rose, apricot, salmon, and cream to the Calla group. A mixture of these hybrids will include many intermediate shades of color, ranging anywhere between the extremes of deep purple and light cream. There are also combinations of these colors such as yellow with red edges, purple with white centers, and white flowers with red centers. They vary greatly in flower size and foliage color.

Additional:

Spadix (a thick, protruding flower cluster) should be visible at the time of purchase. If cut too tight, flowers will usually not open properly. Watch for bruising due to packaging. You also will find occasional and undesirable regreening of the spathe is possible, which can't be prevented with present technologies.