Flowers Facts and Lore: Calla Lilies

May 23rd, 2017 Kat

     Calla lilies, members of the genus Zantedeschia, although called lilies, they really are not lilies. Members of the Araceae family of flowers, they actually are related to anthurium and spathiphyllum (Peace Lily), Arum plants.

Calla lilies are associated with the Greek Goddess, Hera, and they represent purity, holiness and faithfulness. So fitting for wedding bouquets and boutonnieres!

One early calla lily meaning originates in ancient Greek culture, where the flower was thought to represent magnificent beauty. This origin stems from a tale regarding Hercules as a baby. His father, the Greek god Zeus, had conceived him with an earthly woman, which meant he would lack divine, supernatural powers. Zeus drugged his goddess wife Hera to trick her into nursing the baby Hercules (to give him divine powers).

As the drug wore off, she came to her senses and flung the nursing baby from her. As she did so, some drops of her breast milk dropped to earth and sprouted to form calla lilies. The lilies were endued with god-like beauty, which made the goddess Venus jealous, so she cursed the blossom, resulting in the formation of the central spike inside the cupped bloom.

Calla lilies are available year round and you may choose from a wide array of colors (especially the mini-calla): from pure white, to faint blush pink, flame-orange, mango, purple, garnet, yellow and many shades in between.

Do be aware that open, cut stems contain a sap that may stain fabrics. Florists are well aware of this issue, and we take precautions to seal the stem ends, either with floral glue or stem-wrap tape.

If you are looking for a flower to make a statement in your wedding, consider the calla lily.

Ref:  http://www.teleflora.com/blog/what-do-calla-lilies-represent/, https://www.ftd.com/blog/share/calla-lily-meaning-and-symbolismhttp://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/flowers-and-plants/flowers/calla-lily-meaning

 




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