Plant to 1 m or more tall. Leaf blades broadly ovate, to about 30 cm long and wide, more or less cordate, with translucent white spots. Spathe to about 15 cm long, bright yellow outside, greenish-yellow inside.

The possible hybrid background of this species is still under investigation.

Z. albomaculata (Hook.) Baill., Spotted Lily, from S Africa has translucently spotted leaves like Z. elliottiana and is occasionally available; it differs in having much larger and more narrowly ovate leaves to about 40 cm long and 20 cm wide.

Z. rehmannii Engl., Pink or Red Calla, from S Africa is distinctive for its elliptic-lanceolate leaves with blades to about 40 cm long and 6 cm wide, and its mostly rosy purple spathes in spring to summer.

S Africa (but unknown in nature).

Source: Spencer, R. (2005). Araceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.