flower+fiesta

Group Members: Juliana, Mark, Tevita

Plant species: //Zantedeschia aethiopica// Plant family: Araceae Common name: White arum lily Distribution: Native to South Africa, but has become naturalised in Australia particularly Western Australia Seasonal, damp, sandy or rocky places, swamps, creeks, marshes and temporary or permanent freshwater wetlands. Source: Department of primary industries, Victoria, Land and Water management, Herbguide.com.au and Wikipedia. Habit: Erect up to 1m in height. Inflorescence: Large, white bract with yellow raceme. Flowers: Small, yellow-green. Fruit: Globular berry formed in clusters of 40-50 berrries

Additional notes:
 * It is a toxic weed and pest in Australia and much of the world
 * All parts of the plant are poisonous
 * It is grown as an ornamental plant and for cut flowers
 * Most plants in this family are thermogenic (heat producing)

[[image:Arum lily.jpg caption="Arum lily bract and inflorescence"]]
The bract is white and flowers are small which indicates that it is pollinated by birds, insects and frogs. However since it is thermogenic, this feature attracts beetles as pollinators who are rewarded with heat energy.

Variability of floral morphology

 * **Sample** || **Inflorescence length (mm)** || **Bract length (mm)** ||
 * A || 95.5 || 183.4 ||
 * B || 84 || 130.2 ||
 * C || 99.4 || 163.4 ||
 * D || 84.8 || 138.7 ||
 * Average || 90.925 || 153.925 ||
 * SD || 7.707734211 || 24.17455618 ||  ||
 * SD || 7.707734211 || 24.17455618 ||  ||

Pollen morphology
The pollen forms thread like strings from pores at the top of the anther. Under a laboratory microscope the pollen appears circular as shown below.



Nectar characterisation
Nectar was not present, though as a plant dependent on pollination it is presumed that nectar is normally present. However since it produces berries this also attracts pollinators and therefore assists in seed dispersal.