Is calla lily poisonous? A few things to note when keeping it at home

 
Is calla lily poisonous?

The calla lily is poisonous. It contains large amounts of calcium oxalate crystals and alkaloids, and accidental ingestion can cause symptoms such as drowsiness and other signs of poisoning. This species is listed as a poisonous plant in the Chinese Plant Atlas Database, with the tuber, spathe and spadix being toxic. Chewing a small piece of the tuber can cause swelling and pain of the tongue and throat, while an appropriate amount of fresh calla lily tuber, mashed and applied externally, can treat burns.

The calla lily is either pure white or brightly colored in red, yellow, pink and so on. It is a prized cut flower material and can also be grown in pots for ornamental viewing, and Europe and the United States have a long history of cultivating it as a cut flower. Most of the colored calla lilies on the Chinese flower market come from countries such as the Netherlands and New Zealand, and now they are also cultivated in Yunnan, Guangxi, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and other provinces and cities in China. In particular, in recent years, with the rise of fresh cut flower production, calla lily cultivation as a cut flower has gradually become popular.

The calla lily can be used medicinally and has the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying. To treat burns, take an appropriate amount of fresh calla lily tuber and apply it externally after mashing. To prevent tetanus, mash the calla lily tuber and apply it externally to the wound. The calla lily is poisonous and must not be taken internally. This plant is toxic throughout, and eating even a little of it causes vomiting, but after boiling it can be fed to wild boar, and the boiled leaves can treat mild headaches, though any medicinal use must be under a doctor's guidance.

Calla lily flower meaning: universal love, holy devotion, eternity, elegance, nobility, honor, hope, purity, pure and clean friendship, refined temperament, success and contentment, pure and flawless love. It is also the national flower of Ethiopia.

1. The white calla lily is elegant and beautiful, and its flower meaning is “loyal and unchanging, forever united in heart”.

2. Red calla lily: symbolizes holy devotion, forever united in heart, good fortune and wishes fulfilled, purity, and liking.

3. Pink calla lily: symbolizes loving you for a lifetime.

4. In European and American countries it is a commonly used flower for bridal bouquets. Suitable uses and taboos for the calla lily: it is suitable as a bride's bouquet, and small white varieties are suitable for giving to young friends. Do not give orange-red varieties to ordinary friends of the opposite sex, and give an even number rather than an odd number.

 Special note:Although the calla lily is either pure white or brightly colored and most people like to grow it, because it is poisonous, never ingest it by mistake. Especially households with children should stop growing calla lilies or place them out of children's reach.

Further reading: How to grow calla lilies