Black Calla Arum palaestinum
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Arum magdalenae
- Arum sanctum
- Phonetic Spelling
- AIR-um pal-ay-STI-num
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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'Black Calla Lily' is a flowering perennial in the arum family that is native to eastern Mediterranean areas. The trowel-shaped foliage emerges from the tuber in the fall and forms a clump that stays green all winter. It is important to have it in a very well-drained site. In spring the dark purplish-black spadix enclosed in a purplish-black spathe appears. The outside of the spathe is light green. The plant exudes the odor of rotting fruit to attract the flies that pollinate it. The berry-like fruits turn bright red at maturity. The plant is dormant during the summer.
This plant spreads by offsets and can be difficult to eradicate once established. It is easy to grow and is tolerant of different soil types as long as they are well-drained. It will grow in sun or shade but flowering is best with more sun. Use in a rock garden, border, naturalized area or containers.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Arum
- Species:
- palaestinum
- Family:
- Araceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used in Middle Eastern herbal medicine
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Syria, Lebanon, Jordan
- Wildlife Value:
- Deer resistant
- Edibility:
- The leaves can be eaten if cooked and are used in Middle Eastern diets.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Poisonous
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- Vibrant red seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Black
- Brown/Copper
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spadix
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- A deep purple spadix surrounded by a red purple-brown to black spathe.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- 8-12 inch trowel-shaped green leaves
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Medium
- Poison Symptoms:
- Eating small amounts of the raw plant causes mucous membrane irritation, and burning. Consuming larger amounts causes nausea, diarrhea, cramping, excessive drooling, vomiting (not horses), and difficulty swallowing.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- oxalate salts
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Stems
