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Native Plant Database

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Calla palustris (Water arum)
Smith, R.W.

Calla palustris L.

Water arum, Water-dragon, Wild calla

Araceae (Arum Family)

USDA Symbol: capa

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

The 5-10 in. water-dragon or wild calla has fleshy, jointed stalks and heart-shaped leaves on upright stems. The flowers are white with a hint of green, on a round spadix. Growing in water among oblong heart-shaped leaves, is a broad white spathe around a spadix covered with tiny yellow flowers. A bright white, elliptic spathe partially surrounds the spadix. The spathe/spadix is held on a 4-5 in. stem above forking, creeping, partially exposed rootstocks. The fruit is a red berry.

This perennial, a more northerly species than the other arums in the East, is also found in Eurasia. It is very showy when in flower and, later, when bearing its fruit. The genus name Calla, its meaning uncertain, was used by Pliny; the species epithet palustris means of marshes.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit: Red
Size Class: 0-1 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: AK , CT , IA , IL , IN , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , ND , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , VT , WI
Canada: NB , NS , ON , PE
Native Distribution: Que. to Alt., s. to MD, n. IN & MN
Native Habitat: Cool, shaded swales and bogs where water is stagnant
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
Aquatic: yes
Soil Description: Shallow water or slightly acid, wet soil.
Conditions Comments: A light mulch is necessary in extremely cold, snowless winters. Wild calla will not survive a dry spell.

Benefit

Use Food: EDIBLE PARTS: Dried berries are edible. Dried seeds and rootstocks can be made into a flour, but used only in times of need. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.)
Warning: POISONOUS PARTS: All parts. Causes severe pain in mouth if ingested. Symptoms include burning and swelling of lips, mouth, tongue, and throat; difficulty of speaking. Toxic Principle: Calcium oxalate crystals. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.)
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Description: Pulp-free seeds may be planted in muck as soon as they are ripe. Seedlings will bloom in a few years. Cutting taken in July and set in a peat-muck rooting medium give fair results. Moisture must be constantly available.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

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Additional resources

USDA: Find Calla palustris in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Calla palustris in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Calla palustris

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-07-06
Research By: TWC Staff

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