calla Bot.
(ˈkælə)
[mod.L. calla (C. Linnæus Hortus Cliffortianus (1737) 435).]
1. A monotypic genus of aquatic plants, native to northern Europe and eastern North America, and belonging to the family Araceæ.
| 1816 Curtis's Bot. Mag. 1831 Marsh Calla... Linnæus applied that [sc. the name] of Calla, a name borrowed from Pliny. 1845 A. Wood Class-bk. Bot. 364 C. Palustris. Northern Calla. 1866 in Treas. Bot. 194. 1885 Outing (U.S.) Nov. 178/2 An interesting plant is the wild Calla, growing in cold, wet places. 1968 R. Hay Gardening Year 174/2 Calla (bog arum)..bears white lily flowers in spring. |
2. A popular name for some plants of the genera Zantedeschia (esp. Z. æthiopica) and Arum, both members of the family Araceæ.
| 1805 Curtis's Bot. Mag. 832 Ethiopian Calla. 1870 H. Macmillan Bible Teachings vii. 143 The beautiful calla or Ethiopian lily. 1883 Harper's Mag. Mar. 606/2 Lilies, callas, and other water-plants. 1884 E. P. Roe ibid. Feb. 444/1 The plants are semi-aquatic, like this calla lily. 1949 L. H. Bailey Man. Cult. Plants (rev. ed.) 187 Arum, L. A dozen species now recognized..a few occasionally grown for curiosity, often under the name Calla. 1951 Dict. Gardening (R. Hort. Soc.) IV. 2302/2 Zantedeschia... In gardens these plants are often known as Callas or Richardias. Calla is a different genus, typified by Calla palustris. |