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Story: Poisonous plants and fungi

Calla or arum lily

Calla or arum lily

Known variously as calla or arum lily, this plant grows throughout New Zealand. It is commonly seen growing wild around abandoned homes. Coloured forms are grown for the cut-flower trade. All parts are poisonous, including the ripe spike of berries in the middle of the flower.

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Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

by Alastair McLean

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How to cite this page

Maggy Wassilieff, Poisonous plants and fungi – Poisonous garden plants, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/9785/calla-or-arum-lily (accessed 5 June 2026).

Story by Maggy Wassilieff, published 1 March 2009.

Comments

Bethney McLennan
21 May 2011
Your photo shows two forms of 'calla', Zantedeschia aethiopica, the tall leaves of which are above the red seedhead. The seedhead showing red berries is that of Arum italicum aka Cuckoo Pint or Lords and Ladies. The leaves of this one, which is a lot smaller growing, have distinct white vein markings (see lower in the pic). These are related in the araceae family, both are poisonous (and taste foul) and are garden escapees. Arum maculatum is similar and known by the same common names. Zantedescha, in its many colours and forms is prized for home gardens and as a florists' flower. It was very popular in Art Deco bridal bouquets, though some people refer to it as a Funeral lily. It's also known as Pig lily and grows in abundance on the West Coast.