White Calla: Poisonous but Useful Plant

CALLA

Aroids or Arum family - Araceae

Alternative name: calla.

Caution: poisonous!

All parts of the white calla, including fruits and leaves, are poisonous when fresh, especially the rhizomes. However, since ancient times, people have learned to safely use this plant for food. It is sufficient to dry the rhizomes and boil them to remove the bitterness and toxic substances. This discovery may have occurred in difficult times when people sought alternative food sources. Thus, the white calla became known as the 'swamp breadwinner.' In late autumn or early spring, when the roots are filled with nutrients, people would go to forest lakes to gather thick rhizomes. During this period, the starch content can reach up to 30%. After harvesting, the rhizomes were washed, sun-dried, and then dried in the oven, before being ground and treated with hot water. This process removed the bitter taste and harmful substances. The flour from the white calla produced fluffy and delicious bread. If the roots are passed through a meat grinder and treated twice with hot water, it is possible to make groats for soups and porridge. Cooked groats with added greens, such as wild garlic, sorrel, caraway, or parsley, can be used as a filling for pies. Old botanical references mention: "Fresh root has a faint odor and a sharp, biting taste. This root is beneficial for humanity; in case of hunger or lack of regular bread, food can be prepared from it."

Used parts

Roots.

Botanical description

The leaves of the white calla have a dark green, glossy shade, are located on long petioles, wide and pointed with prominent veins. The flowers form a cob, wrapped in a spathe, which is white on the inside and pale green on the outside. The fruits of the white calla are bright red berries attached to the stem, each containing 6-8 oval seeds. As they ripen, the fruits lose their white covering, exude slime, and sink into the water.

Habitat

The white calla grows in temperate and tropical zones of the Northern Hemisphere. It can be found in various regions of Russia, from Europe to Siberia and the Far East. This marsh plant inhabits the soggy banks of water bodies and marshy places. The white calla is also used in landscape design as an ornamental plant.

Harvesting and preparation

White calla - active substances

All parts of the plant are poisonous, containing alkaloids and saponin-like substances. The rhizomes of the white calla are rich in starch.

White calla in folk medicine

In folk medicine, recipes for tincture from the rhizome of the white calla are known to be used in cases of poisonous snake bites.