Zantedeschia aethiopica (L.) Spreng., Araceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results: 

Reject, score: 13 (Go to the risk assessment (Australia))
High risk, score: 15 (Go to the risk assessment (Pacific))

Other Latin names:  Calla aethiopica L.

Common name(s): [more details]

English: arum lily, calla lily, common calla

Spanish: cala, cartucho

Habit:  herb

Description:  "Clump-forming, evergreen perennial (to 1.5 m) growing from tubers, with large glossy, leathery, dark-green, arrow-shaped leaves (to 45 cm x 25 cm) with pale fine veins and wavy margins, held upright on long stalks (to 1 m). From September to December a yellow, finger-like spike, surrounded by a large, greenish-white, funnel-shaped, modified leaf (to 25 cm), forms a flower-like structure that is followed by round green or yellow berries (1 cm) on the flower stalk after the leaves die back"  (Weedbusters New Zealand).

"Plants evergreen, to 1.5 m tall; leaf blades 15-20 x 10-15 cm, ovate-cordate to hastate; spathe ivory-white, widely spreading and arching back, greenish on outside and without a purple spot at base on inside; spadix bright yellow; ovaries green, with interspersed whitish staminodes"  (Smith, 1979; p. 447).

Habitat/ecology:  "Forests, riparian habitats, freshwater wetlands, coastal scrub and grasslands.  Where native, this plant grows in sandy or rocky places that are usually seasonally damp.  It is invasive because it forms dense patches that crowd out native plants and prevent their regeneration.  Dense infestation completely displace the native vegetation"  (Weber, 2003; p. 458).

In New Zealand, "Swampy areas and damp wasteland" (Healy & Edgar, 1980; p. 78). "A persistent colony-forming garden escape. Smothers ground layer preventing regeneration of natural flora" (Weeds in New Zealand web site).

Propagation:  "The short-lived seeds are dispersed by water, birds and mammals.  Rhizome fragments are carried by streams"  (Weber, 2003; p. 458).  Commonly established by dumping of garden cuttings.

Native range:  South Africa and Lesotho, but widely cultivated and naturalizing in wet subtropical situations (Smith, 1979; p. 447).

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia (Pacific offshore islands) Norfolk Islands	Norfolk Island	introduced invasive	Orchard, Anthony E., ed. (1994) (p. 11) "Naturalised beside one or two streams; an escape from cultivation". Voucher cited: P.S. Green (photo K)
Chile (offshore islands) Juan Fernández Islands	Isla Más a Tierra (Robinson Crusoe Island)	introduced invasive cultivated	Atkinson, Rachel/Sawyer, John (2011)
Chile (offshore islands) Juan Fernández Islands	Isla Más a Tierra (Robinson Crusoe Island)	introduced invasive	Danton, Philippe/Perrier, Christophe/Martinez Reyes, Guido (2006) (p. 558)
Chile (offshore islands) Juan Fernández Islands	Isla Más Afuera (Alejandro Selkirk Island)	introduced invasive cultivated	Atkinson, Rachel/Sawyer, John (2011)
Chile (offshore islands) Juan Fernández Islands	Isla Más Afuera (Alejandro Selkirk Island)	introduced invasive	Danton, Philippe/Perrier, Christophe/Martinez Reyes, Guido (2006) (p. 558)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Isabela Group	Isabela Island	introduced cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Isabela Group	Volcán Sierra Negra, Isabela Island	introduced cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) San Cristóbal Group	San Cristóbal Island	introduced cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Fiji Fiji Islands	Fiji Islands	introduced cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1979) (p. 446)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced cultivated	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Cultivée
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Rurutu Island	introduced cultivated	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Cultivée
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaua‘i Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1360)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Maui Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1360)
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île Grande Terre	introduced cultivated	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 18) Vouchers cited: MacKee 37473, MacKee 37491
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands	introduced cultivated	Hancock, I. R./Henderson, C. P. (1988) (p. 118)

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia Australia (continental)	Australia (continental)	introduced	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013) Naturalized
China China	Hong Kong	introduced cultivated	Wu, Te-lin (2001) (p. 301) Ornamental.
New Zealand New Zealand	New Zealand (country)	introduced invasive	Healy, A. J./Edgar, E. (1980) (p. 78) Voucher cited: T.F. Cheeseman (AK 95563)
New Zealand New Zealand	New Zealand (country)	introduced invasive	Owen, S. J. (1997) Naturalized

Indian Ocean
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
La Réunion (France) La Réunion Island	La Réunion Island	introduced invasive	MacDonald, I. A. W./Thebaud, C./Strahm, W. A./Strasberg, D. (1991) (pp. 51-61)
La Réunion (France) La Réunion Island	La Réunion Island	introduced invasive	Lavergne, Christophe (2006) "Très envahissant"
La Réunion (France) La Réunion Island	La Réunion Island	introduced invasive	Baret, Stephane/Rouget, Mathieu/Richardson, David M./Lavergne, Christophe/Egoh, Benis/Dupont, Joel/Strasberg, Dominique (2006) (p. 758)
French Territory of Mayotte Mayotte Islands	Mayotte Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Comité français de l'Union Internationale pour la Conservation de la Nature en France (2013)

Also reported from
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
United States (continental except west coast) United States (other states)	United States (other states)	introduced	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013) Naturalized

Comments:  Reported as a serious invader of of pristine areas in La Réunion (Jacques Tassin, communication to Aliens list server).

Control:  For additional control information see the information sheet from Weedbusters New Zealand.

Physical:  ">Dig out scattered plants (all year round): remove all pieces of root and dispose of them at a refuse transfer station"  (Weedbusters New Zealand).

Chemical:  "Seed production can be prevented by spraying plants with 2,4-D, blyphosate or chlorsulferon before fruits are becoming ripe.  Follow-up programs may be necessary to treat regrowth and seedlings"  (Weber, 2003; p. 458).

"1. Cut and paint stumps: metsulfuron-methyl 600g/kg (1g) + glyphosate (100ml) + penetrant/1L water. Mulch the leaves and dispose of seeds at refuse transfer station.
2. Weed wipe: metsulfuron-methyl 600g/kg (1g) + glyphosate (150ml) + penetrant /1L water.
3. Overall spray: metsulfuron-methyl 600g/kg (3g) + glyphosate (150ml) + penetrant /10L water."  (Weedbusters New Zealand).