Zantedeschia aethiopica (Calla Lily)

Adaptation

 

Zantedeschia aethiopica is able to withstand many environments and has made some adaptations in order to protect from potential predators.

The Calla lily while native to Southern Africa has been able to naturalize in western Europe and the United States which has very different weather patterns. As stated on the habitat page, callas can range from thriving along the coast to blossoming up in the mountains. This in turn means that in one habitat they may encounter humid, salty air, whereas in another habitat it is likely that they will experience very windy, freezing conditions.

Due to their favorite location being in bog-like environments, they must be able to manage the large amounts of water that they face on a daily basis. In a humid environment like a marsh and in some instances floating amongst the standing water, they have utilized some mechanisms for thriving in this harsh location.

Zantedeschia aethiopica have water stoma which are able to rid the plant of excess water. This prevents the plant from essentially drowning in its environment. This process can be referred to as "guttation," or as some people call it, "dew." The process of guttation occurs as a result of a plant being in flooded soil combined with a humid atmosphere. Pressure forms in the roots and in turn pushes the water up and through pores on the leaves. This method creates a gradient where water is simply taken from the cells and released to the exterior.

Z. aethiopica has also been blessed to be apart of the Araceae Family where it equipped with raphides which are small bundles of calcium oxalate. These raphides deliver a chemical which causes a person to feel burning, irritation, potential dehydration, and in worst cases death. More on this mode of defense under toxicity.

 

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

 

 

 

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