calla

American  

[kal-uh] / ˈkæl ə /

noun

1. Also called arum lily.  Also called calla lily;.  any of several plants belonging to the genus Zantedeschia, of the arum family, especially Z. aethiopica, having arrow-shaped leaves and a large white spathe enclosing a yellow spike.

2. a related plant, Calla palustris, of cold marshes of Europe and North America, having heart-shaped leaves.

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calla British  

/ ˈkælə /

noun

1. Also called: calla lily.   arum lily.  any southern African plant of the aroid genus Zantedeschia, esp Z. aethiopica, which has a white funnel-shaped spathe enclosing a yellow spadix

2. an aroid plant, Calla palustris, that grows in wet places and has a white spathe enclosing a greenish spadix, and red berries

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Etymology

Origin of calla

From New Latin (Linnaeus)

Example Sentences

It is like a big purple calla lily, but it smells horrible.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 10, 2023

There was even a calla lily blooming from a patch of dirt everyone at the kitchen thought had gone barren.

From Los Angeles Times • May 10, 2023

It looks like an oasis in the middle of the suburbs — it's the only house with massive hibiscus plants, dozens of calla lilies, and a cherry blossom tree.

From Salon • Jun. 19, 2022

“A week ago, I couldn’t have done this interview,” he said, speaking recently by Skype from his London dining room, a painting of calla lilies behind him.

From New York Times • May 26, 2020

Gladys was busier than ever, polishing silver, preparing canapes, following her mistress through the house with vases of calla lilies and bougainvillea.

From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez