Zantedeschia elliottiana Captain Marbella - Calla Lily

The 'Captain Marbella' Florist's Arum, also known as Zantedeschia 'Captain Marbella', is a hybrid bulbous plant native to New Zealand. This recent variety has cream-white flowers (spathes) or cones that end in a dark green curved tip, from the middle to the end of summer. They contrast beautifully with its dark green foliage. It is a tender tuberous plant that requires warmth and a very rich moist soil to thrive. Very pretty in bouquets, at the edge of water features, or even in pots submerged in shallow water.

Zantedeschia 'Captain Marbella' is one of the many hybrids that have been obtained through cross-breeding between two main species native to Eastern and Southern Africa, Zantedeschia rehmannii and Zantedeschia elliottiana. It is part of the 'Captain Series', with over 70 new cultivars tested at the Wisley Botanical Garden in England. 'Captain Marbella' is a stemless variety, with large dark green sagittate leaves. It is of medium size, measuring about 60cm (24in) tall. Like other hybrids, this plant requires specific growing conditions to flower. The flower, typical of Arums, produces a highly ornamental spathe, almost 10cm (4in) in diameter, concealing a golden yellow spadix at its centre. Its thick roots penetrate perpendicularly into the growing medium, which are fleshy and trailing rhizomes. In nature, this plant grows in marshes that usually dry out in summer, under warm climates year-round. The vegetation dries up, and the tuber enters a period of dormancy. This vegetative cycle must be strictly respected in cultivation. Florist's Arums can live for many years if the cyclical resting period is well respected.

Zantedeschia 'Captain Marbella' is particularly suitable for pot cultivation. It can also be planted in moist soil, near a water feature, or even partially submerged during flowering.