Calla palustris (Water Arum)

Very showy when in flower or bearing its fruit, Calla palustris (Water Arum) is a rhizomatous aquatic perennial boasting broadly heart-shaped, lustrous leaves, 6 in. long (15 cm), adorned with pointed tips. The glossy leaves are borne atop floating stems arising from shallow creeping rhizomes. In early to late summer, 2-inch flowers (5 cm) adorned with a fleshy yellow-green spadix surrounded by a showy white spathe appear on stout stems. The blossoms give way to clusters of tiny, bright red berries in late summer, which decorate the pond in the fall. A cold-loving aquatic that is easily grown in shaded bogs or water gardens.

• Grows up to 6-12 in. tall and wide (15-30 cm). Slowly spreads by creeping rhizomes to form loose colonies.
• Thrives in part shade in humus-rich, acidic, muddy soil or in still shallow water no deeper than 2 in. (5 cm). A light mulch is appreciated in extremely cold, snowless winters.
• Low maintenance, Water Arum is generally pest and disease free.
• Propagate by seed sown in late summer or by division of the rhizomes in spring.
• Cut back after flowering.
• Ingestion may cause severe discomfort.
• Native to temperate regions, including Alaska, Canada and the northern United States.