Zantedeschia aethiopica
Scientific name
"Zantedeschia aethiopica grows from 0.6-1 m but may get taller in the shade. It has lush-looking dark green leaves with an arrow head shape. The size varies according to the amount of shade. The flowers appear in a main flush from August to January, although there may be the odd flower at other times of the year also. The white arum forms large colonies in marshy areas ranging from the coast to an altitude of 2 250 m. Thus one will find them contending with humid, salt laden air at the coast and freezing, misty mountain grasslands at high altitudes. They are very versatile in the garden as a result."Grow by seed, first soaking over night in warm water (4-12 week germination period), or divide rootstock and plant 5 cm deep. The white arum is very easily cultivated by seed or division. Seed should be sown in spring. The fruit is ripe when it has turned yellowish and is soft. The pulp should be removed and the seed dried off. The grey seeds can be sown in clean seedling mix and covered lightly. Take care not to sow them too thickly as they will need space to form the fleshy roots. The fleshy rootstock can be divided when the plant is dormant, it should be re-planted about 5 cm deep.
It may also be propagated by division where the plant is not dormant. Use a sharp spade to cut out a section for replanting.
Seedbank | Quantity |
---|---|
Arundel Seedbank | 76 |
Total | 76 |
Nursery | Quantity |
---|---|
Arundel Nursery | 11 |
Mother Nursery | 18 |
Total | 29 |
This table below shows how many plants we are trying to obtain for this species.
Site | Area | Quantity |
---|---|---|
Site #62 | Newlands | 30 |
Site #15 | Rosebank | 25 |
Site #66 | Mowbray | 40 |
Site #64 | Mowbray | 30 |
Site #60 | Bishop's Court | 60 |
Site #20 | Rosebank | 100 |
Site #68 | Rondebosch | 20 |
Site #69 | Rondebosch | 10 |
Site #67 | Rondebosch | 15 |
Site #71 | Rondebosch | 10 |
Site #72 | Rondebosch | 10 |
1 other sites | 10 | |
Total | 350 |
Conservation status: Least Concern
This species was selected because it has various important characteristics.
This is a bird-friendly species
It provides medicinal value
Fragrant
Edible
Suitable for wet sites
It provides food for:
Honeybees/flies
Zantedeschia aethiopica is indigenous to: Cape Flats Sand Fynbos Peninsula Shale Renosterveld Cape Flats Dune Strandveld Cape Flats Sand Fynbos Peninsula Shale Renosterveld Cape Flats Dune Strandveld