Calla palustris (Wild Calla)
| Also known as: | Water Arum |
|---|---|
| Genus: | Calla |
| Family: | Araceae (Arum) |
| Life cycle: | perennial |
| Origin: | native |
| Habitat: | part shade, sun; bogs, swamps, wet ditches, shallow water |
| Bloom season: | May - June |
| Plant height: | 6 to 16 inches |
| Wetland Indicator Status: | GP: OBL MW: OBL NCNE: OBL |
| MN county distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
| National distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
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Detailed Information
Flower: 
![[photo of flower]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pd/calla-palustris-10-11.jpg)
A single cylindric spike (spadix), sheathed by a smooth, waxy, oval petal-like spathe, at the end of a stout stem arising 3 to 12 inches above the waterline. The spathe is broadly oval to elliptic, creamy white, 1 to 3 inches long and about 1 inch wide. The spadix is up to 1 inch long and studded with petal-less flowers, creamy white stamens surrounding a conical green pistil.
Leaves and stems:
![[photo of leaves]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pd/calla-palustris-10-1.jpg)
Leaves are also waxy smooth, heart-shaped, 2 to 4 inches long, basal lobes and edges curling inward. Leaf stalk is stout, 4 to 16 inches long, sheathed at base, usually taller than the flowers.
Fruit:
![[photo of developing fruit]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pd/calla-palustris-10.jpg)
Fruit is a pear-shaped berry to ½ inch long that ripens to bright red.
Notes:
Wild Calla is common in more acidic, shallow water and bogs in the NE third of Minnesota. We spotted a colony growing in a wet ditch along a highway in Aitkin county, among other places.Native Plant Nurseries, Restoration and Landscaping Services ↓
Map of native plant resources in the upper midwest
More photos
a colony of Wild Calla
Wild Calla in shallow water 
Wild Calla in a bog 
more flowers Photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk, taken at several locations in central Aitkin county.
Comments
Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?
on: 2014-08-13 16:55:06
It is very common in the Quaking Bog at Theodore Wirth Park
on: 2015-05-31 07:06:43
I just took photos of them in a bog just outside of Deerwood before the NoKay Lake turn.......hundreds of them. 5-29-15
on: 2015-06-27 13:47:40
yes by lake bemidji and in white earth state forest.
on: 2016-05-26 20:34:41
My back yard connects to woods, it is growing there, under the canopy. Very wet soil. Also has wild grape, virginia creeper, dogwood, conifers, birch, etc, fern, raspberry etc. Common
on: 2016-06-15 21:31:30
Wild calla was abundant in a boggy, tamarack swamp as was poisonous sumac. I also found a patch of labrador tea. . . seems quite far south for a record in Minnesota.
on: 2017-05-20 16:15:49
Growing in wet, boggy area near the Centennial Library walking path. Also many ferns, jack-in-the pulpits and honeysuckle.
on: 2017-05-25 18:23:20
Along Cty Rd 77. Tearing up wetlands for road/trail upgrade. Many visible after so much vegetation gone. Also many Tamaracks.
on: 2017-09-04 19:00:56
By a creek that flows into St. Criox River.
on: 2018-05-15 22:11:06
You will find them where the forest once stood in the soon to be location of the costco center. Hmmm.
on: 2018-05-24 13:40:10
Blooming in full splendor along Hwy 29 in Tamarac NWR today.
on: 2018-06-03 19:58:40
Found a colony of wild calla on a trail. We have lots of trails but only 1 colony found.
on: 2018-06-30 13:59:29
Saw several at Boot Lake Scientific and Natural Area in Linwood. In a very boggy area.
on: 2018-11-18 16:40:59
In an intermediate fen near Marble Lake but being overtaken by sphagnum. Succumbing to the succession process I suppose.
on: 2019-06-21 11:15:14
Did not know we had wild Calla Lilies in MN
on: 2020-05-27 19:22:51
Nice colony in bog across cty rd 48 from Boy Lake just North of Grave Lake, Itasca County.
on: 2021-07-11 10:30:43
I noticed this species is not listed as present in Marshall County, MN. I have georeferenced photos of wild calla growing in the black spruce tamarack bog area contained in the Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge located in Marshall County, if you want them to verify its presence in this county.
on: 2023-03-15 13:45:33
This plant is quite common in wet areas around Itasca State Park.