Ontario Wildflowers website

Water Arum
Calla palustris

Water Arum (Calla palustris) Other common names: Wild Calla

French names: Calla des marais

Family: Arum Family (Araceae)

Flowers: Summer;  White;  Irregular flowers

Habitat: Wet Areas

Grows in Sun/Shade: Sun

Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 20   

Native/Non-native: Native

Origin and Meaning of Names:
 Scientific Name: palustris: of swamps, marshes


Photographs: 85 photographs available, of which 10 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Water Arum (Calla palustris) flower head

Water Arum in bloom.

Water Arum (Calla palustris) flower head

The large white "petal" is not actually a petal at all. It is the sheath that protects the flower head before it opens.

Water Arum (Calla palustris) flowers

The actual flowers of Water Arum are tiny.

Water Arum (Calla palustris) flower bud

Flower bud inside an expanding sheath.

Water Arum (Calla palustris) leaves

Water Arum leaves.

Water Arum (Calla palustris) leaves

Water Arum (Calla palustris) leaves

Water Arum (Calla palustris) leaves

Water Arum (Calla palustris) seed head

Water Arum seed head.

Water Arum (Calla palustris) seed head

Seed head broken apart to look inside.


Range map for Water Arum (Calla palustris)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)