Zantedeschia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Araceae. They are indigenous to South Africa but also occur north towards Malawi. The name of the genus was given as a tribute to Italian botanist Giovanni Zantedeschi. Common names include arum lily, calla and calla lily although it is neither a true lily (Liliaceae), nor an Arum or 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. It was a favourite subject of the painter Georgia O’Keeffe. Zantedeschia species are rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plants growing to 1-2.5 m tall with leaves 1545 cm long. The inflorescence is 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 spathes and 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 aethiopica Green Goddess forms robust, evergreen, clumps up to 1.5m tall. The leaves are large, arrow-shaped and fairly fleshy. The upright funnel-shaped flowers are white, tipped with green. Remove spent flower stems & leaves as they form to prolong the flowering period. They are well suited to pot culture, mass planting, accents, borders, poolside and for soil binding. They prefer constantly moist to usually boggy soil in warm low sun to shade conditions. Due to its striking inflorescences Zantedeschia aethiopica Green Goddess is very popular as cut flowers and as an ornamental.