Golden Club

Scientific Name: Orontium aquaticum

Distinguishing Characteristics:

•Plant consists of clusters of stems each ending with a single large-elliptic leaf; leaf is about 8 to 14 inches long and 3 to 5 inches wide; shape of leaf resembles a candle flame.

•Leaves may be erect above water or floating on the surface; spongy stem continues along center of leaf and can be seen on underside.

•Flowers: plant gets its name from the golden yellow spadix (club) of flowers; spadix has a white band beneath the flower head; plant produces clusters of large green berries on end of spadix causing it to droop down in the water.

•Found growing in shallow water; often stagnant swamp areas.

Orontium aquaticum taken by Graves Lovell