Acorus calamus

Common Name: Sweet Flag

Family: Acoraceae

Country of Origin: Asia, N. America

Description: Hardy perennial herb of marshy places, to 6 feet tall, aromatic, rhizome stout. The genus Acorus is considered to be the most primitive extant monocot.

Rhizome stout, 4-10(-20) x (0.8-)1-1.5(-3) cm, aromatic; roots at lower side of rhizome. Leaves several, mid-green, often reddish at base, ensiform, (60-)70-100(-150) x (0.7-)1-2(-2.5) cm (mostly 1-1.5 cm wide), apex acuminate; midrib conspicuous on both sides. Peduncle compressed triangular, (15-)40-50 cm. Spathe mid-green, leaflike, 30-50 cm, acute. Spadix straight or slightly curved, erect, oblique, narrowly conic to subcylindric (tapering toward apex), 4.5-6.5(-8) × 0.6-1.2(-1.5) cm, densely flowered. Flowers yellowish green, 1.8-2 mm in diam. seen from above; tepals oblong, 2.5-3 × 1-1.2(-1.4) mm, keeled, membranous, apex triangular hooded; filaments oblong, flat, 2-2.5 x 0.3-0.5 mm, anthers cream-colored, 0.4-0.5 mm in diam.; pollen grains ca. 20 µm, exine shallowly and remotely foveolate; gynoecium obconic-cylindric, 2.5-3.5(-4) × (0.8-)1-2.3 mm, with conic, spongy apex and stigma very small. Infructescence 1.5-2 cm in diam., straw-brown at maturity, berries densely arranged. Berry oblong-obovoid, 1- to few seeded, (3.5-)4-4.5 × 2-3(-3.5) mm. Seed oblong-ellipsoid to ovoid, 2.5-3(-4) × 1-1.2(-1.8) mm, without bristles; testa light brown, subsmooth and slightly foveolate. Fl. (Feb-)Apr-Sep. ⁹

Uses: Plant pacifies vitiated vata, kapha, insomnia, insanity, other mental diseases, epilepsy, mania, stomatitis, hoarseness of voice, colic, flatulence, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, neuropathy, renal calculi, cough, inflammation, arthritis, kidney diseases, hemorrhoids, skin diseases and general debility.³

Useful part: Underground rhizomes.

In Ayurveda, Sweet Flag is also known as VACHA. This translates from Sanskrit as "speech." This plant is more traditionally used as a brain tonic which also improves speech ability. It is used to reduce Kapha and Vatha while increasing Pitta. Calamus root has been used in various respiratory ailments. Making a decoction of the leaves and drinking it, will ease dry coughing, asthma, bronchitis, and fever. It is known as a bronchodilator, therefore circulates more oxygen to the brain & reduces toxins from the brain. An infusion treats cholic. Acorus Calamus is known as a sedative, used in mixtures to aid in mental hysterics: epilepsy, anxiety, over-stimulation.

Massaging Calamus oil around the lymph nodes will stimulate drainage. Treats arthritis, sinus headaches, increases endurance and improves muscle tissue.

USDA Zone: 3-10

Accession #: 199700056

Accession Date: 1997-08-05

Bloom Status: 🪴 Not Flowering

Location: 2316

Quantity: 2

Source: Don Les

Division: Magnoliophyta

Class: Liliopsida

Subclass: monocots

Order: Acorales

Family: Acoraceae