Calla lilies and arum lilies are both beautiful and elegant plants with similar structures. Both belong to the Araceae family. They are popular ornamental plants. Although they share many similarities, calla lily and arum lily are not the same.
What is the difference between calla lily and and arum lily? Calla lilies do not thrive in wet soil, while Arum Lillies thrive in shady, wet areas.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Calla Lily
– Definition, Features
2. What is Arum Lily
– Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between Calla Lily and Arum Lily
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Calla Lily and Arum Lily
– Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: Calla Lily and Arum Lily
– Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Key Terms
Calla Lily, Arum Lily, Lily
What are Calla Lillies
Calla lilies are beautiful plants with trumpet-shaped flowers that come in many colors. You can find them in classic white, yellow, orange, pink, rose, lavender, and dark maroon. Their leaves are smooth and shaped like swords, often with white spots.
These plants grow well in warm places with full sun or some shade. In cooler areas, they need full sun to grow their best. Calla lilies can survive winters in zones 8-10, but in colder places, you’ll need to dig up the bulbs in fall and store them indoors to replant in spring. It’s best to plant them after the frost is gone and when the soil is warm, at least 65°F.
They don’t do well in wet or shady spots and prefers sunny, well-drained areas. Calla lilies also grow slowly and don’t spread much, which means they are less likely to affect native plants compared to other lilies like arum lilies.
What are Arum Lilies
Arum lilies, also called Zantedeschia aethiopica, are plants from the Araceae family. What looks like a flower is actually a spike called a spadix, surrounded by a large sheath called a spathe. They come in soft colors like white, pink, and green. Some other types of arum lilies have darker colors, such as near-black or chocolate brown.
These plants grow well in shady, wet places like the edges of ponds. They do well in wet soil and can spread quickly if left alone. However, this can sometimes cause problems. In places like Australia, arum lilies have become invasive in waterways and other wet areas. They can take over and replace native plants, causing harm to local ecosystems.
Similarities Between Calla Lily and Arum Lily
- Both belong to the Araceae family.
- Both have a spadix (a spike of tiny flowers) surrounded by a spathe (a large, petal-like sheath).
- They are popular ornamental plants used in gardens and floral arrangements.
Difference Between Calla Lily and Arum Lily
Definition
- Calla Lily is Zantedeschia spp. while Arum Lily is Zantedeschia aethiopica.
Color Range
- Calla Lily comes in a variety of colors like white, yellow, orange, pink, lavender, and dark maroon, whereas Arum Lily is mainly white, pink, and green.
Size
- Calla lily has smaller flowers.
Growth Preference
- Calla Lily prefers sunny or partially shaded, well-drained areas. It does not like wet soil. Arum Lily thrives in shady, wet areas and grows well near water or ponds.
Invasiveness
- Calla Lily grows slowly and does not spread much, so it’s less likely to affect local plants. Arum Lily, on the other hand, can spread quickly in wet areas and sometimes becomes invasive, displacing native plants.
FAQ: Calla Lily and Arum Lily
1. Are calla lilies the same as arum lilies?
Calla lilies are smaller, colorful plants suited to well-drained sunny spots, while arum lilies are taller, hardy plants with large, mainly white flowers that thrive in wet, shady areas.
2. What is the difference between lily and calla lily?
Lilies are a larger group of flowers with a variety of shapes and colors, while calla lilies are a specific type of lily known for their trumpet-shaped flowers and smooth, sword-like leaves.
3. What is another name for a calla lily?
Another name for a calla lily is Zantedeschia, which refers to its scientific genus. These plants are also sometimes called “arum lilies” because they belong to the same family as the arum plant.
4. How do you identify a calla lily?
You can identify a calla lily by its unique, trumpet-shaped flower that wraps around a tall, pointed spike in the center. The flowers come in colors like white, yellow, pink, and purple. The plant has long, smooth leaves that are usually green with white spots.
Reference:
1. “All About Calla Lilies.” Longfield Gardens.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Calla lily — Zantedeschia (cultivar)” By Jim Evans – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Zantedeschia aethiopica” By Eric Hunt – Own work (CC BY-SA 2.5) via Commons Wikimedia
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