Water Arum
Calla palustris
- Native to:
- Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, China, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, Kuril Is., Labrador, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Prince Edward I., Romania, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, Ukraine, United States
Kurt Stüber [1] (www.kurtstueber.de)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Araceae
- Genus:
- Calla
- Species:
- Calla palustris
- USDA Symbol:
- CAPA
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 30 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- white, yellow
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- waterfowl, muskrats
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, organic, water-retentive soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Commonly found in marshes and bogs
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold-moist stratification and consistently wet conditions. Fresh seed germinates better than stored seed.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).
Source: Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow immediately, Either the viability of these seeds is short or the species propagates best with fresh seed. Stored seed might be coaxed into germination with temperature cycling and patience. Sow at 20°C for 6 weeks, then place @ 4°C for 6 weeks, then slowly raise temperature to 10°C for 6 weeks. If there is no germination, repeat the cycle. * hydrophilic; bog plant; stand pot in 3 cm water