Zantedeschia albomaculata with white forget-me-notsThe full name of this unusual relative of the calla lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica) is Zantedeschia albomaculata subsp. albomaculata. It comes from South Africa, East Africa and tropical Africa, and unlike that hardier plant, is frost sensitive. It is a rhizomatous perennial and looks very much like the traditional calla lily, but its arrow-shaped foliage is attractively flecked with white spots. Overall, it is a more compact plant, growing 30-60 cm tall. It has the same ivory-white, chalice-shaped spathe, appearing in late winter and spring. It also likes the same conditions: moisture-retentive soil in part or dappled shade. It can be grown in pots and indoors. It can also grow in bog gardens or ponds. Propagation is by division of the rhizomes after flowering or in autumn.
All parts of the plant are poisonous including the yellow spike and surrounding white spathe. If eaten, symptoms can include swelling of the tongue and throat, stomach pain, vomiting and severe diarrhoea.