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Black Calla Lily Arum palaestinum

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

'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:
Tags:
#showy flowers#poisonous#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#large leaves#deer resistant#spadix#rock garden#border planting#black flowers#naturalized area#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#poisonous#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#large leaves#deer resistant#spadix#rock garden#border planting#black flowers#naturalized area#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#perennial
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Poisonous
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    Vibrant red seeds.
  • 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.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    8-12 inch trowel-shaped green leaves
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • 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
  • 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