Andalucia Life Fauna and Flora, Flowers of Andalucia Southern Spain

April 2006, Arum Lilly, Zantedeschia aethiopica

Arum Lilly, Zantedeschia aethiopica

The arum lilly is actually a native of south and east Africa where it is found in moist soils or water margins. It was brought to southern Europe by early explorers and is now widely cultivated, you will see many examples in urbanisation gardens. In our part of Andalucia it enjoyed the climate so much that it started to grow wild and you will occasionally find one in the banks of streams. There is a particularly fine example near the old mill right at the head of the Rio Manilva on the Manilva to Casares walk. The pure white spathes with bright golden yellow spadices, set off by the deep green, shiny, broad leaves, are at their best in April and May.