If you live in the eastern United States, you may be familiar with golden club water plants, but everyone else might be wondering “what is golden club?” The following golden club plant info contains all you need to know about golden club flowers.
What is Golden Club?
Golden club (Orontium aquaticum) is a native herbaceous
perennial
in the family Arum (Araceae). This common emergent
plant can be found growing in streams, swamps, and ponds.
Golden club water plants grow from a vertical rhizome
that has thick roots which expand and contract. These contracting roots draw
the rhizome deeper into the soil.
The dark green, erect, strap-like leaves of this water plant
float atop the surface of the water. The foliage has a waxy texture that repels
water. Golden club flowers are long and cylindrical with an inflorescence
of tiny yellow flowers and born off a white, fleshy stalk.
The bag-like fruit contains a single seed surrounded by
mucus.
Growing Golden Club Plants
If you have taken a liking to these plants, perhaps you’d
like to try growing golden club yourself. They make an interesting addition to
a landscape water feature and can also be eaten.
Golden club is winter hardy to USDA zones 5 through 10. They can easily be started from seed. Sow the seed in the early summer.
Grow in containers that have been submerged 6 to 18 inches (15-46 cm.) in a water garden or grow the plant in the mud of shallow areas of a pond. Although it will tolerate part shade, golden club should be grown in full sun exposure for the brightest leaf color.
Additional Golden Club Plant Info
These water plants can actually be eaten, however, caution should be taken, as the entirety of the plant is poisonous. The toxicity is the result of calcium oxalate crystals and can be delivered either through ingestion or contact with skin (dermatitis).
This may cause burning or swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat as well as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Contact with the sap may only cause skin irritation. The toxicity is very low if eaten and skin irritation is usually minor.
Both the roots and seeds of golden club water plants can be
eaten and are harvested in the spring. The roots should be scrubbed and seeds
soaked with warm water to remove any debris. Boil roots for at least 30
minutes, changing the water several times during boiling. Serve them with
butter or a squeeze of fresh lemon.
The seeds can be dried just as you would dry peas or beans.
To eat them, boil for at least 45 minutes, changing the water multiple times
and then serve them as you would peas.
Disclaimer: The content of this article is for educational and gardening purposes only. Before using or ingesting ANY herb or plant for medicinal purposes or otherwise, please consult a physician, medical herbalist, or other suitable professional for advice.
If you live in the eastern United States, you may be familiar with golden club water plants, but everyone else might be wondering “what is golden club?” The following golden club plant info contains all you need to know about golden club flowers.
What is Golden Club?
Golden club (Orontium aquaticum) is a native herbaceous
perennial
in the family Arum (Araceae). This common emergent
plant can be found growing in streams, swamps, and ponds.
Golden club water plants grow from a vertical rhizome
that has thick roots which expand and contract. These contracting roots draw
the rhizome deeper into the soil.
The dark green, erect, strap-like leaves of this water plant
float atop the surface of the water. The foliage has a waxy texture that repels
water. Golden club flowers are long and cylindrical with an inflorescence
of tiny yellow flowers and born off a white, fleshy stalk.
The bag-like fruit contains a single seed surrounded by
mucus.
Growing Golden Club Plants
If you have taken a liking to these plants, perhaps you’d
like to try growing golden club yourself. They make an interesting addition to
a landscape water feature and can also be eaten.
Golden club is winter hardy to USDA zones 5 through 10. They can easily be started from seed. Sow the seed in the early summer.
Grow in containers that have been submerged 6 to 18 inches (15-46 cm.) in a water garden or grow the plant in the mud of shallow areas of a pond. Although it will tolerate part shade, golden club should be grown in full sun exposure for the brightest leaf color.
Additional Golden Club Plant Info
These water plants can actually be eaten, however, caution should be taken, as the entirety of the plant is poisonous. The toxicity is the result of calcium oxalate crystals and can be delivered either through ingestion or contact with skin (dermatitis).
This may cause burning or swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat as well as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Contact with the sap may only cause skin irritation. The toxicity is very low if eaten and skin irritation is usually minor.
Both the roots and seeds of golden club water plants can be
eaten and are harvested in the spring. The roots should be scrubbed and seeds
soaked with warm water to remove any debris. Boil roots for at least 30
minutes, changing the water several times during boiling. Serve them with
butter or a squeeze of fresh lemon.
The seeds can be dried just as you would dry peas or beans.
To eat them, boil for at least 45 minutes, changing the water multiple times
and then serve them as you would peas.
Disclaimer: The content of this article is for educational and gardening purposes only. Before using or ingesting ANY herb or plant for medicinal purposes or otherwise, please consult a physician, medical herbalist, or other suitable professional for advice.