"Calla Lilies" -"Arum Lilies" - notes on word usage

angela offer angelasgarden@bigpond.com
Sat, 17 Jun 2006 18:36:52 PDT
The pretty small llilies callas   ie hotshot, majestic red etc, are theses
true callas or Zantedescia?
Info would be very apprediciated- and where do the plants originate?
Angela
----- Original Message -----
From: "James Waddick" <jwaddick@kc.rr.com>
To: "Pacific Bulb Society" <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Saturday, June 17, 2006 11:24 PM
Subject: [pbs] "Calla Lilies" -"Arum Lilies" - notes on word usage


> Dear all;
> I noticed these topics recently and was slightly put off by
> their inaccuracy and I don't think any one noted that neither Callas
> (Genus Zantedeschia) or Arum (Genus Zantedeschia) are actually
> lilies. Both of these common names refer to plants NOT in the lily
> family or closely related. The names Arum and Calla actually refer to
> genera by those name and not the Genus under discussion. The common
> names can refer to other plants, too.
>
> The genus Calla is a small genus of northern marshy aroids,
> while the genus Arum  is larger in number of species and
> distribution. Neither overlaps with Zantedeschia.
>
> Likewise 'Canna Lilies' are not true lilies, but more
> correctly called just 'Canna'.  Just as peony roses are not roses.
>
> If this list is to have educational value these crucial
> differences should be made clear. So this note is not a chastisement,
> but for clarity and better understanding of where these things all
> fit into a bigger picture. We have often grumbled about the peculiar
> nature of common names especially regional ones.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> Best Jim W.
> --
> Dr. James W. Waddick
> 8871 NW Brostrom Rd.
> Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711
> USA
> Ph.    816-746-1949
> Zone 5 Record low -23F
> Summer 100F +
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