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Products > Zantedeschia aethiopica 'Green Goddess'
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| Category: Bulb/Tuber/Rhizome etc. |
| Family: Araceae (Arums) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Flower Color: Greenish White |
| Bloomtime: Spring/Summer |
| Synonyms: [Z. aethiopica 'Mint Julep' |
| Height: 2-4 feet |
| Width: 4-5 feet |
| Exposure: Light Shade/Part Sun |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): High Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 15-20° F |
| May be Poisonous (More Info): Yes |
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Zantedeschia aethiopica 'Green Goddess' (Green Calla Lily) - A herbaceous perennial that forms a large clump of arrow-shaped leaves to 3-5 feet tall (tallest in shade) that arise from fleshy rhizomes. This species of calla can be evergreen on the coast if irrigated during summer months but is otherwise summer dormant. In colder climates they can freeze back with a frost but quickly recover. In coastal irrigated gardens flowering is often year-round or in late winter to early summer if not irrigated. The species Zantedeschia aethiopica produces large white trumpet-shaped bract called a spathe surrounds a spike of faintly fragrant yellow flowers on a structure called a spadix that is borne atop 3 foot tall thick stalks but with 'Green Goddess' the white spathe is generously mottled with green from the middle up and near the tip is entirely green. Plant in full coastal sun or light shade with seasonally or year round moist soil. Tolerates near coastal conditions, summer drought, wet conditions and winter cold. This plant is suitable to a dry garden as it persists in cool coastal gardens without supplemental irrigation, but is also useful in well-irrigated gardens or along the edge of a pond. It can also grow as a foliage plant in deep shade where it likely will not bloom. Flowers are excellent for use in arrangement that lasts a long time when cut and submerged in water. Though animals eat this plant and African indigenous people have boiled and eaten plant parts, all parts of this plant are considered poisonous because they contain microscopic, sharp calcium oxalate crystals. White Calla Lily is native to southern Africa in Lesotho, South Africa, and Swaziland and was introduced into Europe in the seventeenth century with records of it being in the Royal Garden in Paris in 1664. The genus is generally thought to be named for Professor Giovanni Zantedeschi (1773-1846) an Italian physician and botanist, though some sources of information note that it might be named for Francesco Zantedeschi, a 19th century Italian priest and professor of physics and philosophy in the Liceo of Venice, who conducted experiments involving the effects of light and electricity on plants.. The specific epithet aethiopica means of Ethiopian or Africa. This plant is also sometimes called Zantedeschia aethiopica 'Mint Julep'. We first got this plant from animal trainer and plantsman Jim Prine and put it into production in 1988.
The information on this page is based on research conducted about this plant in the San Marcos Growers library, from online sources, and from observations made of the crops growing in our nursery, plants in the nursery's garden and those in other gardens where we may have observed it. We also have incorporated comments received from others and welcome getting feedback from those who may have additional information, particularly if this information includes cultural information that would aid others in growing Zantedeschia aethiopica 'Green Goddess'. |
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