Family: Araceae
Author: (L.) Spreng.
Bibliography: Syst. Veg. 3: 765 (1826)
Year: 1826
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Zantedeschia
Vegetable: False
Observations: S. Africa
Description
The Altar-lily, known scientifically as Zantedeschia aethiopica, is a remarkable and elegant flowering plant appreciated for its striking aesthetic and cultural significance. Discovered in Southern Africa, this plant belongs to the diverse Araceae family and has captivated gardeners and botanists alike with its unique characteristics.
Characterized by its lush green foliage and pristine white, trumpet-shaped flowers, the Altar-lily exudes both grace and simplicity. Each bloom is structured around a spadix, encircled by a curvaceous spathe that imparts a sense of purity and sophistication. This visual appeal is often enhanced by the large, arrow-shaped leaves that provide a verdant backdrop to the blossoms, creating a striking contrast.
The Altar-lily has been noted and documented since as early as 1826, as referenced in the “Systema Vegetabilium” by (L.) Spreng. Its historical and botanical significance is evident in its enduring presence across various regions and its adaptation to diverse growing conditions. Native to the wetlands and riverbanks of Southern Africa, it thrives in moist and shaded environments, though it has also adapted to more formal garden settings around the world.
In cultivation, Zantedeschia aethiopica is renowned for its versatility and relatively easy maintenance. It often blooms in late winter to early summer, depending on the climate, making it a perennial favorite for those looking to add a touch of elegance to their landscapes. The plant’s resilience and ability to propagate through rhizomes make it a sustainable choice for both amateur gardeners and professional horticulturists.
The Altar-lily’s ethereal beauty and robust nature make it a staple in ornamental gardening, wedding bouquets, and even funeral arrangements, symbolizing purity, rebirth, and devotion. Its aesthetic appeal, coupled with its rich botanical history and adaptability, ensures that the Altar-lily continues to grace gardens and homes worldwide, bringing a touch of nature’s elegance to all who behold it.
Common Names
Eng: altar-lily, calla lily, arum-lily, calla-lily, common calla, common calla-lily, lily-of-the-nile, pig-lily, trumpet-lily, white arum-lily
Ita: calla
Fra: calla, richarde
Deu: kalla
Por: bigalhó, copo-de-leite, jarro-de-jardim
Ell: kala
Spa: serpentina-brava
Swe: vit kalla
Cym: lili’r pasg, lilïau’r pasg
En: Altar-lily, Calla-lily, Lily-of-the-Nile, Pig-lily, White arum-lily, Trumpet-lily, Arum-lily, Common calla, Common calla-lily, Calla lily, Arum Lily, Common Calla Lily, Common arum lily, Lily of the Nile
Ca: Lliri d’aigua
Nl: Witte Aronskelk
Fr: Calla, Richarde, Arum
De: Kalla, Calla, Gewöhnliche Calla, Zimmercalla, Zimmerkalla
El: Kala
It: Calla, Zantedeschia
Pt: Bigalhó, Copo-de-leite, Jarro-de-jardim
Es: Serpentina-brava, Alcatraz, Cala, Cartucho
Sv: Vit kalla
Cy: Lili’r Pasg, Lilïau’r Pasg
Synonyms
- Calla aethiopica var. nana (Hovey)
- Richardia africana (Kunth)
- Arodes aethiopicum ((L.) Kuntze)
- Richardia aethiopica ((L.) Spreng.)
- Calla aethiopica (L.)
- Calla ambigua (Salisb.)
- Colocasia aethiopica ((L.) Link)
- Otosma aethiopica ((L.) Raf.)
- Calla moschata (Moench)
- Pseudohomalomena pastoensis (A.D.Hawkes)
Distribution
- Cape Provinces (native)
- Free State (native)
- KwaZulu-Natal (native)
- Lesotho (native)
- Northern Provinces (native)
- Swaziland (native)
- Albania (introduced)
- Algeria (introduced)
- Assam (introduced)
- Azores (introduced)
- Bermuda (introduced)
- Brazil Northeast (introduced)
- California (introduced)
- Canary Is. (introduced)
- Colombia (introduced)
- Corse (introduced)
- Costa Rica (introduced)
- Dominican Republic (introduced)
- East Aegean Is. (introduced)
- East Himalaya (introduced)
- Ecuador (introduced)
- Great Britain (introduced)
- Greece (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- India (introduced)
- Italy (introduced)
- Madeira (introduced)
- Mexico Southwest (introduced)
- Morocco (introduced)
- Mozambique (introduced)
- New South Wales (introduced)
- New Zealand North (introduced)
- Nicaragua (introduced)
- Norfolk Is. (introduced)
- Oregon (introduced)
- Philippines (introduced)
- Portugal (introduced)
- Puerto Rico (introduced)
- Réunion (introduced)
- Sardegna (introduced)
- Sicilia (introduced)
- Society Is. (introduced)
- South Australia (introduced)
- Spain (introduced)
- St.Helena (introduced)
- Tasmania (introduced)
- Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
- Tristan da Cunha (introduced)
- Tunisia (introduced)
- Turkey (introduced)
- Victoria (introduced)
- Western Australia (introduced)
- Yugoslavia (introduced)
- Zimbabwe (introduced)
Additional Images
Other
Taken May 3, 2022 by Alboss (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 27, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 18, 2020 by Thierry LE COM (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − W. L. Wagner (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Nov 28, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Pierre BONNET (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Jan 18, 2020 by nabilbl (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 25, 2022 by F Beran (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 20, 2022 by Villaronga Lorenzo Lois Antón (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 3, 2019 by yakoob albaz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 3, 2019 by yakoob albaz (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Jun 10, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 20, 2019 by Costerg adèle (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 10, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 31, 2016 by Luis Miguel González (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 8, 2017 by Caro Lohou (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Mar 7, 2020 by Paris (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 25, 2020 by fabrice fabrice riegert (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 13, 2022 by dina alessandro (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 20, 2019 by piris nuria (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 21, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Dec 18, 2020 by Natty Natnat (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 26, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 19, 2017 by Justine Dehayes (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 26, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 26, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Bark
Taken May 1, 2020 by NILANJAN SAREN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 18, 2021 by Valerie van Helsdingen (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 15, 2022 by g ruiz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 15, 2021 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 26, 2021 by Edi Garuti Garuti (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2868827)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:89403-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Zantedeschia aethiopica (L.) Spreng.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Forb/herb