Acorus calamus Sweet flag (Araceae)

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Acorus calamus
Sweet flag
(1 Page of 5)

The Acorus calamus plant species is found in Europe, Asia and N. America. Naturalized in Britain[17]. It is a member of the Araceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Sweet flag.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Acorus calamus
Common Name:  Sweet flag
Family:  Araceae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  The fresh root can be poisonous[7]. When using the plant medicinally, the isolated essential oil should not be used[165]. The essential oil in the roots of some populations of this plant contains the compound asarone. This has tranquilising and antibiotic activity, but is also potentially toxic and carcinogenic[218, 238]. It seems that these compounds are found in the triploid form of the species (found in Asia) whilst the diploid form (found in N. America and Siberia) is free of the compounds[218, 238]. However, the root (but not the isolated essential oil) has been used in India for thousands of years without reports of cancer which suggests that using the whole herb is completely safe, though more research is needed[254].

Mature Height:  1   Mature Width:  1

Habitat:  Found in moist soils and shallow water in ditches, marshes, river edges and ponds[1, 100, 187, 244].

Propagation Notes: Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Stand the pot in about 3cm of water. Pot up young seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle, keep them wet by standing the pots in shallow water and overwinter for the first year in a greenhouse or cold frame. Seed is rarely produced in Britain[4, 17]. Division in spring just before growth starts[1]. Very easy, it can be carried out successfully at any time in the growing season and can be planted direct into its permanent positions[K].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

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