Orontium aquaticum aka Golden Club

Taxonomy

Genus Orontium Family Araceae Order Alismatales Class Liliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Orontium aquaticum, commonly known as golden-club or floating arum, is a unique flowering plant belonging to the family Araceae. It is the sole living species in the genus Orontium, although there are several extinct species known from fossils. Endemic to the eastern United States, O. aquaticum thrives in acidic environments and can be found growing in ponds, streams, and shallow lakes. Its oval leaves have a pointed shape and a water repellent surface. The most remarkable feature of its inflorescence is the small sheath surrounding the spadix, which withers away early in the flowering process. The classification of this structure has been a topic of debate, with conflicting opinions on whether it is a spathe or a sympodial leaf. Despite this, it is commonly referred to as a spathe in the literature. This marginal aquatic perennial plant has glaucous leaves that can reach up to 25cm in length, and slender flowering spadices that can grow up to 15cm in height. It primarily grows in bogs, shallow water, margins of slow-moving streams, swamps, and pond margins, spreading through rhizomes.

Common names

Golden Club

How to care for Golden Club

Water

Golden Club should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Golden Club loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Golden Club thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Golden Club.

Toxicity

Golden Club is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

Fertilizer

Repotting the Golden Club is necessary either when it has doubled in size or once every year, whichever happens first. With fresh potting soil replenished annually, the plant will receive all the necessary nutrients, rendering the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that the source of a plant's energy is the sun, not fertilizer.

Growth-pattern

Golden Club grows vertically and new growth emerges from the top of the plant.

Region of origin

Golden Club’s native range is Eastern N. America - Massachusetts to Kentucky, south to Florida and Louisiana.

More info:
Wikipedia