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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

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:
Tags:
#poisonous#water garden#standing water tolerant#NC native#spadix#rhizomes#native garden#edible garden#food source spring#Coastal OBL#Piedmont Mountains OBL#wet soils tolerant#food source soft mast fruit#Audubon#perennial#boggy sites#wildflower
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#water garden#standing water tolerant#NC native#spadix#rhizomes#native garden#edible garden#food source spring#Coastal OBL#Piedmont Mountains OBL#wet soils tolerant#food source soft mast fruit#Audubon#perennial#boggy sites#wildflower
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Poisonous
    Water Plant
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • 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
  • 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