Zantedeschia aethiopica - Arum Lily
| Family: | Araceae |
| Habit: | Perennial |
| Height: | 1 |
| Width: | 0.6 |
| Synonyms: | |
| Range: | S. Africa. Locally naturalized in S. and W. Europe[50]. |
Arum Lily will flower in January to May. The flowers from this plant are monoecious (both sexes are found on the plant but each flower is either male or female) and they are pollinated by
Soil Information
Arum Lily will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Arum Lily prefers soils
Ideal Planting Locations
Arum Lily can grow in semi or areas with no shade.Wet marshy places[73, 90].
Planting places suited to this plant described below.
- Is a pond plant
- A bog garden plant
Cultivation Details
Requires a very rich soil in full sun or shade[1, 200]. Best when growing in full sun[90]. Succeeds in wet soils or water up to 30cm deep[1, 200]. This species is only hardy to between -5 and -10°c[200], although some selected forms, such as 'Crowborough' and 'Green Spathe', are hardy in most parts of Britain if they are planted deeply in shallow water to about 30 cm deep[1, 90, 200]. It is best to cover plants with bracken in the winter in order to protect against exceptional frosts[90]. Members of this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]Edible Uses*
* See disclaimerEdible Rating: 1/5
Young leaves - cooked[105, 177]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
- Leaves -
Medicinal Uses*
* See disclaimerMedicinal Rating: 0/5
None known
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse[K]. Pre-soak stored seed for 24 hours in warm water and sow in moist soil in spring in a greenhouse[200]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division, preferably in the spring[200]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring.Known Hazards
Many plants in this family are poisonous raw, due to the presence of calcium oxylate crystals. If eaten raw, this toxin gives you a sensation as if hundreds of tiny needles are sticking into the mouth, tongue etc. However, it is easily destroyed by thoroughly cooking or drying the plant. Although no specific mention has been seen for this plant it is wise to assume that it is poisonous in its raw state.Other Uses
None knownCultivars
'Crowborough' - This form is hardy in most parts of Britain as long as it planted deeply in shallow water to about 30 cm deep[1, 90, 200].'Green Spathe' - This form is hardy in most parts of Britain as long as it planted deeply in shallow water to about 30 cm deep[1, 90, 200].
References
Flora of the Cape Peninsula.Adamson. and Salter.
Author: Adamson. and Salter.
Rating:
Publisher : A good flora but rather short on details of habitat. Not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication :
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992
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