Zantedeschia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Araceae. They are indigenous to Southern Africa. Common names include Arum Lily, Calla and Calla Lily although it is neither a true lily (Liliaceae), nor an Arum nor a Calla (related genera in Araceae). In Afrikaans some common names include Aronskelk and Varkoor. It has often been used in paintings, and is visible in many of Diego Rivera’s works of art. Zantedeschia species are rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plants with a showy, inflorescence consisting of a showy white, yellow or pink spathe shaped like a funnel with a yellow, central, finger-like spadix. Currently 8 true species are recognized, these being Zantedeschia aethiopica (Giant White Arum Lily or Common Arum Lily), Zantedeschia albomaculata (Spotted Leaved White Arum Lily), Zantedeschia elliottiana (Yellow or Golden Arum Lily), Zantedeschia jucunda, Zantedeschia odorata, Zantedeschia pentlandii, Zantedeschia rehmannii (Pink Arum Lily) and Zantedeschia valida. All Zantedeschias produce large, showy flowers that are often grown both as ornamental plants and for cut flowers. Zantedeschia are cold hardy plants, but some are more winter-hardy than others. The white Zantedeschia aethiopica and some of its relatives can survive at minimum winter temperatures below -23°C.

Zantedeschia albomaculata Black Eyed Beauty has yellow flowers with dark throats. Well known as a cut flower especially in graceful, large flower arrangements, what may not be known about this plant is its adaptability. They can be grown successfully in a flower border along with other bulbs and Flowers>Perennial Flower Seeds, but it also grows happily at water’s edge or even in a pot and submersed – pot and all – in the shallow end of a pond. It is endemic to South Africa and its graceful vase like flowers bloom from mid to late summer.