

How to identify Black calla (Arum palaestinum)
Black calla, also known as Priest's hood, Kardi, Black calla lily, Solomons lily, Wild calla
Black calla boasts distinctive, trowel-shaped foliage that forms a verdant clump, persisting through the winter months. Come spring, a striking spadix, dark purplish-black in hue, emerges, enveloped by a spathe of similar coloration with a light green exterior. Emitting a scent reminiscent of decaying fruit, this aroma lures flies for pollination. The lifecycle culminates in berry-like fruits that ripen to a vivid red, fading into a dormant stage during the heat of summer. For robust growth, a well-draining site is essential.
Trowel-shaped leaves, 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) long, with smooth texture and glossy green color.
Deep purple spadix, 3-6 inches (7.5-15 cm) in length, surrounded by red to black spathe.
Cluster of vibrant red berries, smooth and glossy, contrasting against green foliage.
Distinctive spadix and spathe emit subtle, earthy scent, blooming in spring.
Berries ripen to red seeds, small size fitting in palm, signaling maturity and dispersal.
Black calla leaves are trowel-shaped, ranging from 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) in length. They are vibrant green with a slightly glossy surface. The texture is smooth and the leaves exhibit a prominent, reticulated vein pattern. The margins of the leaves are entire, without serrations or lobes. The base of each leaf is slightly cordate (heart-shaped), tapering to a pointed tip. These distinctive leaves are crucial for identifying black calla in its natural habitat.
Black calla boasts a striking deep purple spadix, measuring approximately 3-6 inches (7.5-15 cm) in length. This spadix is elegantly surrounded by a distinctive spathe that varies in hue from red purple-brown to almost black. The spathe, which typically reaches 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) in height, envelops the spadix in a dramatic, funnel-shaped enclosure. These flowers emit a subtle, earthy scent and usually bloom in spring, making them easy to identify during this season.
The fruit of black calla emerges as a striking cluster of berries. Upon maturity, these berries transform into vibrant red seeds that catch the eye, nestled within a protective, fleshy spathe. Each berry is typically round in shape, with a smooth and glossy surface that gives a hint at their succulence. The size of the fruit is generally small, fitting easily into the palm of a hand. The berries' contrasting coloration against the green foliage makes them particularly distinctive, serving as a visual cue for maturity and seed dispersal readiness.
Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.
The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.
Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.
The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.
The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.
The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.
Scientific Classification of Black calla