wetland wildflower
Marsh calla
Calla palustris
Also known as Water Arum, Water-dragon, Wild Calla
1 of 3Native to the Midwest and the Northeast and southern Canada
Quebec to Alberta, south to Maryland, northern Indiana and Minnesota
- Light Full shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist to wet Moisture preference
- Zones 1–8 Cold to heat range
- Bloom May–Jul Flowering time
- Height up to 1 ft to 0.3 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A wetland wildflower for full shade and consistently moist to wet soil. Its white flowers peak in June. At up to 1 ft, it tucks into rain gardens, pond edges, and damp low spots. Hardy in USDA zones 1–8.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
When it blooms
The Marsh calla's white flowers bloom May to July, peaking in June. This early-summer display draws birds.
Marsh calla blooms whiteFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Birds Green-winged Teal
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WetlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- The Midwest and the Northeast and southern CanadaUnited States (18): CT, IA, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, ND, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT, WI. Canada (4): NB, NS, ON, PE. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Quebec to Alberta, south to Maryland, northern Indiana and MinnesotaThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- Moist to wetThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 1–8 · Canadian 0–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Shallow water or slightly acid, wet soilThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- Acid to neutralThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 1 ft (to 0.3 m)Typical mature height.
- Spread
- ~1 ft (0.3 m)How wide one plant gets, a guide to spacing.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- May–JulWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- WhiteThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- ripens Jun–SepThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- Poisonous if eatenWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.