Zantedeschia aethiopica (Calla Lily)

Classification


Domain: Eukarya
The domain Eukarya contains organisms whose cells contain true nuclei. Eukarya includes plants, animals, and fungi. Many of these organisms are multi-cellular, but some are unicellular as well. Z. aethiopica is just one of the many organisms belonging to this domain, others may include animals like he Slow Loris or the Pipevine Swallowtail.

Kingdom: Plantae
The Calla Lily falls under the kingdom plantae because it is multicellular and relies on photosynthesis to obtain its food.

Phylum: Tracheophya
Tracheophytes include all of the vascular plants. Vascular plants utilize lignin and cellulose for support, they possess a cuticle which prevents desiccation, and they also have roots and a full vascular system for fluid transportation. Within this group are the gymnosperms which are plants whose seeds do not have an outer covering (pine cones for example), angiosperms which are plants with seeds protected by a an outer covering (pumpkin seeds for example), and ferns.

Class: Liliopsidea
this class, also known as the monocotyledons, consists of many angiosperm species. These plants are seed plants that have leaves with parallel veins. Other organisms in the class besides the Zantedeschia aethiopica include orchids, lilies, and many grasses.

Order: Arales
Order arales contains plants which are typically from the tropics. A defining characteristic is that they all contain an axis within their flower called a spadix. Z. aethiopica have a golden spike-like spadix in the center of their white spathe. Within this order contains plants who thrive in marsh environments. The Calla Lily grows best in marshes, and can sometimes be found in growing in shallow standing water.

Family: Araceae
Also known as the "Arum Family," this family contains plants that produce raphides. Raphides are needle-like bundles made up of calcium oxalate crystals which help deter predators. When ingested these raphides from the Z. aethiopica can cause swelling, itching, and burning. More information regarding the symptoms caused by the raphides on a Calla Lily can be found under poison on this webpage.

Genus: Zantedeschia
Plants in this genus live in moist, usually humid environments. These perennials grow from tuberous rhizomes, which resemble another flower bulb or a ginger root. Many of these flowers have heart shaped leaves and can sport the occasional dot or two.

Species: Z. aethiopica
This particular arum flower enjoys water-logged environments, has raphides for protection, and can originated in Southern Africa. More information throughout the webpage!

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