Wetland Plants and Plant Communities of Minnesota and Wisconsin

WATER ARUM

(Calla palustris L.)


Water Arum

ARUM FAMILY (Araceae)

IND. STATUS: OBL

FIELD CHARACTERISTICS: A perennial herb. The spathe is broad, white, and 3-6 cm. long, with a tip 5-10 mm. long. The spadix is golden, ovate to elliptic, fleshy, 1.5- 2.5 cm. long and packed with flowers. The leaves are ovate to subrotund, heart- shaped at the base, and 5-10 cm. long. Fruit is a cluster of red berries. In flower during June.

ECOLOGICAL NOTES: Water arum is found in bogs and shallow water. The stems can creep or float.

SOURCE: Courtenay and Zimmerman (1972); Gleason and Cronquist (1991); and Voss (1972).


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