Marsh Calla

calla palustris

The Marsh Calla (Calla palustris) is a captivating wetland plant, uniquely the sole species within its genus. This perennial herbaceous plant is admired for its striking, waxy white spathe that cradles a yellow spadix, creating an elegant floral display. Beyond its beauty, the Marsh Calla plays a crucial role in its boggy habitats, providing cover and food sources for various small creatures, despite its inherent toxicity. It thrives in cold, nutrient-poor waters, a testament to its robust adaptations for challenging wetland environments, making it a fascinating subject for nature enthusiasts and botanists alike.

Habitat: Found in bogs, marshes, swamps, wet woodlands, and along the muddy shores of ponds and slow-moving streams.

Appearance

The Marsh Calla is easily identified by its prominent, pure white, petal-like bract (spathe) that wraps around a yellow, finger-like spadix covered in tiny true flowers. Its glossy, dark green leaves are distinctly heart-shaped (cordate) and can be up to 15-20 cm long, typically arising on long petioles. After flowering, the plant produces clusters of bright red, fleshy berries. It generally grows to a height of 20 to 40 centimeters, often forming dense colonies along water margins.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassLiliopsidaOrderAlismatalesFamilyAraceaeGenusCalla

Marsh Calla

Interesting facts

Despite its beauty, all parts of the Marsh Calla are toxic due to calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause severe irritation if ingested.

It is the only species in the genus Calla, highlighting its unique evolutionary path within the Araceae family.

Its bright red berries are attractive to birds, which helps in seed dispersal, but these berries are also toxic to humans and many animals.

The 'flower' of the Marsh Calla is actually a spathe, a modified leaf that surrounds a central stalk of tiny true flowers called a spadix.

Special abilities

The Marsh Calla is extremely tolerant of cold climates, allowing it to thrive in northern temperate and subarctic regions where many other wetland plants cannot.

All parts of the plant contain calcium oxalate crystals, making it toxic if ingested and deterring most herbivores from consuming it.

It spreads effectively through creeping rhizomes, forming dense colonies that help stabilize wetland soils and outcompete other vegetation in its niche.

Measurements & details

Length: 20-40 cm
Lifespan: 5-15 years
Clutch Size: 4-10

Diet & Feeding

As a photosynthetic organism, the Marsh Calla produces its own food by converting light energy into chemical energy, utilizing carbon dioxide, water, and essential nutrients from its environment.

Primary Foods

Sunlight
Carbon dioxide
Water
Nitrates
Phosphates
Potassium

Ecological connections

eaten by

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos

Habitat and occasional food source (berries)

habitat provider

Common Muskrat

Ondatra zibethicus

Habitat creation and soil stabilization for wetland inhabitants

mutualism

Small carrion beetle

Thanatophilus lapponicus

Pollination of flowers

eats

Marsh Slug

Deroceras laeve

Limited herbivory, primarily on leaves (despite toxicity)

Traits

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Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

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Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Marsh Calla?

The easiest way to identify Marsh Calla is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Marsh Calla?

20-40 cm

How long does Marsh Calla live?

5-15 years

What does Marsh Calla eat?

As a photosynthetic organism, the Marsh Calla produces its own food by converting light energy into chemical energy, utilizing carbon dioxide, water, and essential nutrients from its environment.

Where is Marsh Calla usually found?

Found in bogs, marshes, swamps, wet woodlands, and along the muddy shores of ponds and slow-moving streams.

How many eggs does Marsh Calla lay?

4-10