Additional notes (click to expand)

Commemorative

Zantedeschia aethiopica (L)Spreng. Calla lily, Arum lily. Distribution: South Africa. The genus name commemorates Giovanni Zantedeschi (1773-1846) an Italian physician and botanist. Born in Molina he studied medicine in Verona and Padua. He corresponded with the German botanist, Kurt Sprengel, who named the genus Zantedeschia in his honour in 1826, separating it from Calla, where, as C. aethiopica, it had been previously described by Linnaeus. He had broad interests, including the effect of different parts of the spectrum of light on plant growth, reporting in 1843, that red, orange and yellow light are heliotropically inactive. The botanic museum in Molina is dedicated to his memory. Aethiopica, merely means 'African'.
Oakeley, Dr. Henry. (2012). Doctors in the Medicinal Garden. Plants named after physicians. Royal College of Physicians. link

Medicinal

The leaves of the species of this plant are used as a warm poultice for headaches in ‘muthi’ medicine. It has become an invasive weed in parts of Australia. It was introduced, as a greenhouse plant, to Europe in the mid-17th century, where the long lasting flowers are popular in flower arranging and for weddings and funerals – a curious combination
Oakeley, 2012 Oakeley, Dr. Henry. (2012). Doctors in the Medicinal Garden. Plants named after physicians. Royal College of Physicians.).

Toxicity

All plants in Aracaeae are toxic. The main toxin is calcium oxalate, present as needle-like raphides inside specialised cells throughout the plant, called idioblasts, which when chewed fire the needles into the tongue, gums and throat of the eater. The needles cause thousands of micro-wounds, probably also introduce oxalic acid into damaged tissues, and additionally cause massive histamine release and cause extreme pain and swelling.
Neuwinger, HD. (1996). African Ethnobotany: Poisons & Drugs, Chapman & Hall page 221

Geographical distribution

  • Africa, Southern Africa

Zantedeschia aethiopica Spreng. 'Crowborough'

Family: ARACEAE
Genus: Zantedeschia
Species: aethiopica Spreng.
Cultivar: 'Crowborough'
Common names: Arum Lily 'Crowborough'
Distribution summary: Southern Africa
Garden status: Currently grown
Garden location: Southern Hemisphere Wolfson bed (N), Wolfson Terrace (T)
Reason for growing: Commemorative


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