Plants and Mushrooms

Arum lily

Common name		Arum lily
Botanical name		Zantedeschia aethiopica
Other common names		Calla lily
Family		Araceae
General description		Cultivated as an ornamental, this herb can grow up to 1m tall. Sometimes used in floral arrangements.
Flowers		Flowers consist of a white to creamy-white spathe, and a central golden yellow spike that is shorter than the spathe. The spathe is about 12–25cm long and tapers to a fine point.
Leaves		The leaves are fleshy, smooth and shiny, shaped like an arrowhead, about 30cm long, on a 60cm stalk.
Fruit/Berries		The fruit are globular succulent berries in an enlarged cluster, orange-yellow, about 10mm in diameter.
Other		The sap is clear
Symptoms		All parts of the plant are poisonous including the yellow spike and surrounding white spathe. If eaten, symptoms can include swelling of the tongue and throat, stomach pain, vomiting and severe diarrhoea. Severe swelling or gastric irritation may become life threatening.
Toxicity category		2
Warning		Seek urgent medical attention if lips or tongue become swollen or if there is difficulty breathing or swallowing.