Orontium aquaticum
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- oh-RON-tee-um a-KWA-tih-kum
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Grows in bogs or shallow water, margins of slow-moving streams, swamps, and pond margins; in water 1-12 in. deep the leaves float on the surface; slow to become established; spreads by rhizomes; sun to partial shade; plant in 2 to 5-gallon container; cultivated in water gardens. Prefers acid, loamy soil under shallow, moving water.
Emergent aquatic in muck or quiet fresh waters. Glaucous blue-green leaf color.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Orontium
- Species:
- aquaticum
- Family:
- Araceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- USA, NC
- Distribution:
- AL , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , KY , LA , MA , MD , MS , NC , NJ , NY , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , WV
- Edibility:
- EDIBLE PARTS: Roots and seeds HARVEST TIME: Only collect roots and seeds from areas you know have NOT been treated with pesticides. Collect roots in spring. SAFE HANDLING PROCEDURES: Scrub roots and soak seeds thoroughly with warm water to remove dirt and debris. Do not use dish detergent or any type of sanitizer. These products can leave a residue. NEVER eat roots raw -- they can be very bitter. Boil for at least 30 minutes, changing the water several times during boiling. Serve with butter or lemon juice. Dry collected seeds in the same manner as you would dried peas or beans. Boil for at least 45 minutes, changing the water often. Serve like peas.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Water Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Spring
- Fruit Description:
- Berry-like bumpy green fruit. Seeds are edible once thoroughly cooked. Displays in May.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spadix
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Long white and golden yellow club-like spadix, not enclosed by a spathe. The terminal 2-4 in. section is fertile with many small, greenish yellow flowers. Blooms from March to April.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Velvety
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 5-18 in. stalked, elliptical to broadly strap-like dark bluish-green leaves with parallel veins. Leaves have a velvety sheen on the underside making allowing them to shed water. Floats on the surface of water over 12 in. deep.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Native Garden
- Water Garden
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN. SKIN IRRITATION MINOR, OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES. Burning and swelling of lips, tongue, and throat from raw plant parts; nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also occur; contact with cell sap may cause skin irritation.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Calcium oxalate crystals
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems
