Zantedeschia

Zantedeschia Spreng.

Zantedeschia is a small genus of probably eight species (Singh & al. 1996). The entire genus is confined to South Africa. All species have showy, fragrant flowers and are commonly grown as ornamentals in warm-temperate and subtropical areas throughout the world (Yeo 1984). In colder areas they are grown indoors or need winter protection. Z. aethiopica is the only exception and withstands up to – 15°C.
Artificial hybridization has considerably blurred species boundaries. Plants in horticulture may belong to cultivars or hybrids that do not exist in nature.
At least two species have been recorded in the wild in Belgium.

1. Leaves unspotted and evergreen. Female part of spadix with conspicuous yellow staminodes === Zantedeschia aethiopica

1. Leaves with numerous translucent white spots, deciduous. Female part of spadix without staminodes === Z. albomaculata

Literature


Craib C. (2003) Zantedeschia jucunda and Zantedeschia pentlandii. Veld & Flora (Kirstenbosch) 89(3): 106-109.

Engler A. (1915) Zantedeschia. In: Engler A. (ed.), Das Pflanzenreich, vol. 64. Leipzig: 61-69. [available online at: http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/61950#page/549/mode/1up]

Harrison R.E. (1972) Zantedeschia hybrids. J. Roy. Hort. Soc. 97(3): 131-132.

Jackson W.P.U. (1986) The Cape white arum lily, Zantedeschia Veld & Flora (Kirstenbosch) 72(2): 44-45.

Jäger E.J., Ebel F., Hanelt P. & Müller G. (eds.) (2008) Rothmaler Band 5. Exkursionsflora von Deutschland. Krautige Zier- und Nutzpflanzen. Springer Verlag, Berlin: 880 p.

Letty C. (1973) The genus Zantedeschia. Bothalia 11: 5-26. [available online at: http://www.aroid.org/gallery/gibernau/1979/The%20genus%20zantedeschia%20...

Perry P.L. (1989) A new species of Zantedeschia (Araceae) from the western Cape. S. Afr. J. Bot. 55(4): 447-451. [available online at: https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/82594449.pdf]

Singh Y. (1996) Contributions to the systematics of the genus Zantedeschia Spreng. (Araceae) Thesis MSc., University of Pretoria: VI + 169 pp.

Singh Y., Van Wyk A.E. & Baijnath H. (1995) Know your arums: a comparative guide to the members of the genus Zantedeschia. Veld & Flora 81: 54-55.

Singh Y., Van Wyk A.E. & Baijnath H. (1996) Taxonomic notes on the genus Zantedeschia Spreng. (Araceae) in southern Africa. South African Journal of Botany 62(6): 321-324. [available online at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/02546299/62/6?sdc=1]

Traub H.P. (1949) The genus Zantedeschia. Plant Life 4: 8-32.

Yao J.L., Rowland R.E. & Cohen D. (1994) Karyotype studies in the genus Zantedeschia (Araceae). S. Afr. J. Bot. 60(1): 4-7. [available online at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0254629916306536]

Yeo P.F. (1984) Zantedeschia. In: Walters S.M. & al. (eds.), The European Garden Flora, vol. 2: 97-98. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith