Zantedeschia elliottiana - Golden Arum Lily

Zantedeschia elliottiana is a stemless plant with large, unusually arrow-shaped leaves and showy flowers. The leaves are heavily white spotted dark green, up to 28cm (11 inch) long and 23cm (9 inch) wide with 60cm (24 inch) long stalks. The inflorescence is a typical arum flower with the central erect spadix surrounded by a showy spathe. It is carried on a long stout stalk that rise among, sometimes above, the long leaf stalk. The 15cm (6 inch) long spathe is bright yellow inside and greenish yellow outside, forming an open trumpet around the yellow spadix. Flowering occurs in late spring and summer and they last over a month. The flower is occasionally followed by a spike of bright yellow berries that are attractive to birds.

Scientific Name: Zantedeschia elliottiana (W.Watson) Engl.
Common Names:Golden Calla Lily, Golden Arum Lily, Golden Calla, Yellow Calla Lily, Elliott's Calla
Synonyms:
Calla elliottiana, Richardia aurata, Richardia elliottiana, Richardia rossii
Family: Araceae
Subfamily: Aroideae
Tribe: Zantedeschieae
Species: Z. elliottiana
Genus: ZANTEDESCHIA

Origin:
It is reportedly native to South Africa, but may be of garden origin.

Hardiness:
Hardiness zone USDA - 9a to 10b: from 20 °F (−6.7 °C) to 40 °F (+4.4 °C).

Temperature in rest period – min 10oC max 13oC (50-55oF)

Temperature in active growth period – min 18oC max 21oC (64-70oF)

How to Grow and Care

Zantedeschia plants propagate well from seed and by splitting the tubers in early spring. Large overwintered clumps in the garden can be divided in the same way as other perennials, by lifting the plant before there is much top growth, and chopping through the roots with a spade and dividing into smaller sections. Small rhizomes that have been overwintered in pots under cover can literally be cut up into sections, each with a visible bud and the pieces re-planted about 5cm deep. If the plant is not dormant, it can still be propagated by division by using a sharp spade to cut out a section for replanting.

The fruits can be harvested in summer when they are ripe and have turned yellowish and soft; remove the pulp and allow the seeds to dry before storing for sowing in spring. Sow into trays or pots using a well-draining seedling mix and covering the seed lightly. Take care not to sow too thickly as the new plants will need space to form their fleshy roots. Maintain a temperature of 20°C and germination should take place after only a couple of weeks, but the little plants will take 2 to 3 years to flower.

- Learn more at How to grow and care Calla Lily