SafePlants

Acorus calamus (Sweet Flag)

Acorus calamus, commonly known as sweet flag or calamus, is a perennial wetland plant with a rich history and varied uses.

Considerations for Pets and Children

• The text mentions that the fresh root can be poisonous.
• Sweet flag has sword-shaped leaves, which could present a potential hazard.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Acorus calamus
• Family: Acoraceae (formerly Arum Family – Araceae)
• Genus: Acorus
• Common Names: Sweet Flag, Calamus, Sweet Sedge, Sweet Rush, Sweet Root, Myrtle Grass, Sweet Myrtle, Sweet Cinnamon, Sweet Cane, Sweet Rush, Beewort, Muskrat Root, Flag Root, Rat Root, Sweet Calomel
• Synonyms: Calamus aromaticus
• Alternative Scientific Names: Acorus americanus

Distribution and Habitat

• Sweet flag is native throughout most of Russia east through Kazakhstan, India, and Mongolia to China, Japan, and the Korean Peninsula.
• It is also found in North America and Europe.
• It grows in wetlands and marshy places.

Ecological Role

• Sweet flag is described as a wetland plant that grows in boggy areas.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• It's a tall perennial herb, growing up to 2 meters (6.6 feet) high.
• The plant has erect, sword-shaped leaves that resemble those of the Yellow Flag Iris.
• It possesses a horizontal, creeping rootstock that can grow up to 5 feet long.
• The leaves are striped green and sometimes variegated with creamy, longitudinal stripes.
• It does not produce fertile seeds due to being a sterile polyploid species.
• The root system consists of shallow branching rhizomes.

Genetic Information

• The text mentions that Acorus americanus has three sets of chromosomes, making it sterile and unable to produce fruit.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• It may be mistaken for cattail (Typha spp.) or Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor).

Quirky Facts

• Sweet flag has been used as a key ingredient in Absinthe and Dr. Pepper, and has had a reputation as an aphrodisiac.
• The roots taste like ginger.