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Arum Lily

Arum Lily

Zantedeschia aethiopica

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Originally from Africa, The arum lilies are an invasive plant where conditions suit its growth (predominantly wet areas), and it forms large patches that will smother out all other plants. All variants of this lily have generally similar appearance and characteristic, but the lily variant Green Goddess is considered the most invasive, particularly in Northland. Methods to control Arum Lilies are the same for all variants. The plant is an evergreen perennial, growing in clumps of 1 to 1.5 metres in height. Its distinctive large, funnel-shaped white flowers with a central bright yellow spike are the obvious recognition feature.

The Arum Lily usually flowers between August and late January but sometimes occurs outside that range. The leaves are dark green, large, leathery, and arrowhead-shaped. Leaf dimensions are up to 45cm x 25cm, so they’re big buggers. The individual leaf stalks can be a metre in length. Berries form on the flower stalk as the white part of the flower (which is actually a modified leaf) dies back. The 1cm diameter berries are green to yellow on the arum, and orange-yellow on some variants. The berries are spread by birds, animals, and flowing waterways.

The plant grows from a tuber with fleshy white roots. Dumping of tubers/rhizomes as garden waste readily spreads the plant to new sites. The arum lily, and it's Green Goddess variant, are poisonous to stock (and to humans), though stock very rarely tries to eat it.

Distribution favours the North Island, with some occurrences into the South Island. The preferred growth conditions and sites are wetlands, swampy pasture and waste places, and disturbed damp scrublands and forest areas. The plant can tolerate most soil types, and once established is drought resistant and long-lived.

PHYSICAL CONTROL

Smaller patches and clumps can be dug out at any time of the year. Ensure you take all of the plant, including tubers and root systems off-site, and dispose of it at a waste transfer station or a landfill. Do not dispose of this plant in a green waste composting or recycling facility.

HERBICIDE CONTROL OF ARUM LILLIES

Arum lily is susceptible to chemical control at any time, but the best results come when the plant is growing well at the time of chemical application. In wetter sites it’s best to apply chemicals in the comparatively dry late summer, to allow application without contaminating adjacent waterways.  These recommendation will often apply to other NZ lilies as well.

Cut & Spray/Paste to Kill Arum Lily

This is suitable for smaller patches. Cut off the entire plant as close to the ground as possible, and immediately hand spray or swab stumps with this mixture:

Herbicide Sprays to kill Arum Lily

Larger patches should be sprayed as they are, using a knapsack or handgun, ensuring good coverage of all exposed parts of the plant, with this mixture: