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

See Examples For:

calla

The florist-by-trade gestures behind her to hundreds of flowers contained in buckets — blue thistles, ivory anemones and calla lilies painted silver — all twisted and unfurling into the air.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 2, 2026

Employing geometric ruching on exaggerated shoulders, she showcased surreal tubular shapes reminiscent of the enveloping flowers of the calla lily.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 28, 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

Ms. Zelek wore a gown by the Spanish designer Rosa Clará and carried white calla lilies just like her mother at her wedding in Miami, and her grandmother before that in Havana.

From New York Times ● Sep. 18, 2020

I looked out the window and saw the calla lilies had fallen and turned brown, the daisies had been crushed down by their own weight, the lettuce gone to seed.

From "The Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan