Featured Flowers: Calla Lilies
Calla lilies aren't what you think they are. The iconic wedding flower is neither a lily nor a true calla. What is commonly known as a calla lily is actually a member of the genus Zantedeschia. Originally native to the southern African continent, calla lilies today are widely cultivated and have nearly year-round availability of all types.
Calla lilies come in two sizes, standard and miniature. Standard calla lilies feature thick sappy stems which can be two feet in length (or more!) and heads of 6 inches or more from neck to tip. The white variety is the most well known standard calla lily, but standard calla lilies are also available in yellow, orange, pink and red varieties. Shown at left is the award winning Renoir calla liliy, featuring a deep purple "robe". Miniature calla lilies have thinner, shorter stems and smaller heads, and are more known for the vibrant colors available.
The unique shape of calla lilies makes them a popular flower for arrangements needing a strong focal point, and are one of the most popular flowers for wedding and event designs. Calla lilies are not a single flower--the actual flowers are the yellow stalk ("spadix") in the center of a protective petal ("spathe"). The spadix is covered by numerous flowers, both male and female, and the plant can self-pollinate.
Florists aren't the only artists inspired by calla lilies. In particluar, Georgia O'Keefe and Robert Mapplethorpe each featured calla lilies in their works.
References:
http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantwxyz/zantedeschaeth.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calla_lily