07 Dec Arum lily
Zantedeschia aethiopica
Used extensively in floral arrangements all Zantedeschia species are highly toxic if eaten raw. They are known to have caused the deaths of cattle and children. All parts of the plant are toxic, and produce irritation and swelling of the mouth and throat, acute vomiting and diarrhoea.
Family: Araceae
Origin: South Africa
Habit: Erect, tuberous, evergreen perennial herb to 1.5m high.
Leaves: Arrowhead shaped, dark green leaves to 45cm long and 20cm wide borne at the ends of stout, smooth, succulent green stems to 75cm long and winged at the base.
Flowers: Pale Yellow spike to 9cm long surrounded by a pure white funnel shaped spathe to 25cm coming to a point. Winter-Summer.
Fruit: Berry, green or yellow maturing to orange 5-10mm long
containing about 4 yellow-brown seeds.
Roots: Fleshy tuberous rhizome.
Dispersal: Rhizomes, cormlets and Seed is spread by water, humans,
contaminated soil (earthmoving equipment, car tyres etc) and garden refuse dumping.
Control: Hand pull/dig, bagging all plant parts and removing from site.
Foliar spray, Cut and Paint.
