calla

American  

[kal-uh] / ˈkæl ə /

noun

1. Also called arum lily.  Also called calla lily;.  any of several plants belonging to the genus Zantedeschia, of the arum family, especially Z. aethiopica, having arrow-shaped leaves and a large white spathe enclosing a yellow spike.

2. a related plant, Calla palustris, of cold marshes of Europe and North America, having heart-shaped leaves.

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calla British  

/ ˈkælə /

noun

1. Also called: calla lily.   arum lily.  any southern African plant of the aroid genus Zantedeschia, esp Z. aethiopica, which has a white funnel-shaped spathe enclosing a yellow spadix

2. an aroid plant, Calla palustris, that grows in wet places and has a white spathe enclosing a greenish spadix, and red berries

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Etymology

Origin of calla

From New Latin (Linnaeus)

Example Sentences

In the darkness of the night air, it briefly looks as though the women carry silver calla lilies that are blooming from their palms.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 2, 2026

It is like a big purple calla lily, but it smells horrible.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 10, 2023

It looks like an oasis in the middle of the suburbs — it's the only house with massive hibiscus plants, dozens of calla lilies, and a cherry blossom tree.

From Salon • Jun. 19, 2022

The lower part is an inverted bell, a little below human adult height, with a gently flared lip like a calla lily’s.

From New York Times • Mar. 17, 2022

There’s a big heart made out of red and white roses, a “K” made out of calla lilies, and an arrangement of flowers in orange and green, his favorite colors.

From "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas