zantedeschia
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A genus of flowering plants in the family Araceae, native to southern Africa; commonly known as calla lily or arum lily. It refers to a type of herbaceous perennial plant known for its distinctive, showy inflorescence consisting of a large, colorful spathe (a modified leaf) surrounding a central finger-like spadix.
Examples of Usage
Advanced Usage
- The word is used in formal, botanical, and horticultural contexts to refer precisely to this genus, distinguishing it from other plants with "lily" in their common name, such as true lilies ().
- It can function attributively as a noun modifier (e.g., , ).
Variants and Related Words
- Calla lily (n.): The most common common name for plants in the genus, especially .
- Arum lily (n.): Another common name, particularly used in some regions.
- Zantedeschia aethiopica (n.): The botanical name for the classic white calla lily.
- Spathe (n.): The large, often colorful bract that surrounds the spadix in plants like the zantedeschia.
- Spadix (n.): The fleshy central spike bearing the tiny flowers, characteristic of the arum family (Araceae).
Synonyms
- Calla (n.): A shortened, informal form of "calla lily."
- Arum (n.): While this can refer to the broader genus , it is sometimes used loosely for zantedeschia. (Note: and are distinct but related genera.)
Related Phrases
- Genus Zantedeschia: The formal taxonomic classification.
- Calla lily bouquet: A common floral arrangement featuring these flowers.