golden arum-lily

Zantedeschia elliottiana (H.Knight) Engl.

Zantedeschia elliottiana, known as golden arum-lily, is a member of the Araceae family. It is a robust herbaceous plant that can grow up to 60 cm in height. The plant has deciduous, glabrous leaves with orbicular-ovate blades up to 27 cm long and 27 cm broad, marked with translucent white spots. The inflorescence features a funnel-shaped, golden yellow spathe and a spadix up to 7 cm long. The plant is reported to occur in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa, though some sources suggest it may be of garden origin rather than wild. It was first described in 1915.

Description

Zantedeschia elliottiana is characterized by its showy golden yellow spathe and spadix. The leaves are deeply cordate and apiculate, with petioles that may be as long as or longer than the blade. The inflorescence is borne on a peduncle up to 40 cm long. The fruit is a cluster of berries up to 2.5 cm in diameter. While it is sometimes found in the Northern Provinces of South Africa, its status in the wild is uncertain, with some sources indicating it may be a cultivated hybrid. The plant is valued for its ornamental appearance and is grown in gardens.