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Orontium aquaticum
Orontium aquaticum L.
Goldenclub, Neverwet
Araceae (Arum Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: ORAQ
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
An aquatic with long-stalked leaves, and a golden yellow, club-like spadix. Goldenclub has simple, long-petioled, often floating, dark-green, velvety, basal leaves. The club-shaped golden-yellow spadix is lax or ascending on a green scape and emerges 1/2-1 1/2 ft. above the water. The flower is followed by green fruits.
This emergent perennial is of striking beauty, especially when seen against the backdrop of dark open waters in southern swamps. Its Latin generic name derives from a plant that grows in the Orontes River of Syria.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Up to about 18 inches tall.
Fruit: Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Feb , Mar , Apr
Distribution
USA: AL , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , KY , LA , MA , MD , MS , NC , NJ , NY , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , WVNative Distribution: MA to KY, s. to FL & LA, occasional in southeast TX; mostly on the Coastal Plain
Native Habitat: Swamps; shallow water pools & streams
Growing Conditions
Water Use: HighLight Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Drought Tolerance: Low
Aquatic: yes
Soil Description: Acid, loamy soil under shallow, moving water.
Conditions Comments: Found in shallow, flowing water from 1 to 10 inches in depth. To insure adequate conditions in a water garden, install a recirculation pump.
Propagation
Propagation Material: Root Division , SeedsDescription: Sow cleaned seeds immediately in wet, mucky soil.
Seed Collection: Collect the large, gummy seeds in mid-summer.
Commercially Avail: yes
Maintenance: Make sure water continues moving or the plant will suffer. It requires flowing water.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | OBL | OBL | OBL | OBL |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Bibliography
Bibref 1620 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (Reprint Edition) (2009) Wasowski, S. with A. WasowskiSearch More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Orontium aquaticum in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Orontium aquaticum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Orontium aquaticum
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-21Research By: TWC Staff