Tuesday, July 09, 2013

ABC Wednesday July 10th, 2013

The letter is Z

Z stands for Zantedeschia aethiopica

And it may, or may not, surprise you to know that this is the official name of the Calla Lily
 

this painting by Christine E. Striemer
 
A most charming and elegant flower, its beauty and pure simplicity making it
a popular choice for weddings and funerals
 
On the other hand, the Calla Lily is a native to Africa,
where it grows wild along roadways and in fields
and is called 'pigs ear'.
 
But in Greek the name means 'beautiful'!
 
The Calla is easy to grow, thriving even in poor soil from a rhizome
which can be saved from year to year
and replanted in your garden in the early spring.
 
In the house the Calla is known as a 'heavy drinker'
and it is advised that the stems in the vase be cut every few days
to enable it to slake its thirst.
 
And here we are at Z in the alphabet, and looking forward to starting again at A, with thanks to Denise, Roger and all others who help with this meme.
 
Click here to investigate ABC Wednesday further....
 

 

16 comments:

Carver said...

Beautiful flower and great idea for Z. Carver, ABC Wed. Team

Roger Owen Green said...

And beautiful it is. great Z.
ROG, ABC Wednesday

photowannabe said...

Very interesting information on the Calla Lily and it's name meaning.
I do like the painting so much. Beautiful.

The Weaver of Grass said...

I love all white flowers for their simplicity Hildred.

Ann said...

Such a graceful flower. Love to see them used in weddings.
Ann

Reader Wil said...

Thank you to introduce this exquisite plant. It looks so pure and elegant! You always find so many interesting plants and flowers.
Thank and have a great week.
Wil, ABCW Team.

Barb said...

Many years ago, visiting In NZ, we saw Calla growing along the roadside. A pure-looking bloom.

Leslie: said...

I have bunches of them in my garden and just love them.

Leslie
abcw team

Unknown said...

I love cala lilies and your photo made it even more beautiful.

Lea said...

Great information about the Calla Lily. And is that a Peruvian Daffodil in your Header? Beautiful photo!
Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Lea
Lea's Menagerie

Hazel said...

Beautiful! Reminds me of a cousin who wore one on her hair for her wedding.

Hazel

Suzanne said...

Get out!! Who knew? The calla lily is a favorite of my daughter and me. Thanks.

ChrisJ said...

Such a beautiful flower, and to me always rather somber. Reminds me of funerals for some reason, yet it is so beautiful. I really love the painting.

Along These Lines ... said...

Can see why they nameed it calla lilly

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I'm sure you won't be surprised that I did NOT know the real name of this beautiful flower. Thank you for the information ... I do love calla lilies. Many years ago Bill's gardening grandmother gave us rhizomes from her garden for our first yard, so they are special to me.

uberrhund said...

I had no idea that they went by another (more fancy) name! My Mom had a planter bed full of them when I was little. I loved feeling the leathery flowers.
Great end of the ABC cycle!