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Summary

Bloom Color: Green. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Rounded.

Physical Characteristics

Acorus gramineus is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil and can grow in water.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Ground Cover; Pond; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses: Condiment

Root - raw or cooked[105, 177]. It should be peeled, finely chopped and soaked in several changes of water first[183]. A stronger and more pleasing taste than A. calamus[2, 183]. The root is also used as a ginger substitute[177]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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Anodyne  Antibacterial  Antifungal  Antiperiodic  Antirheumatic  Antispasmodic  Aromatic  Cardiac
Carminative  Diaphoretic  Diuretic  Emmenagogue  Epilepsy  Expectorant  Febrifuge
Parasiticide  Sedative  Stimulant  Stomachic  Tonic  Vermifuge

The root is antifungal, antibacterial, antiperiodic, antirheumatic, antispasmodic, aromatic, cardiac, carminative, diaphoretic, emmenaggue, febrifuge, sedative, stimulant, stomachic, tonic and vermifuge[4, 7, 9, 21, 61, 147, 165, 176, 178, 218, 238, 240, 279]. It is also powdered and applied to bleeding gums[218, 238]. It is used internally in the treatment of digestive problems - particularly gastralgia and diarrhoea[283], cough, bronchial asthma, neurasthenia, depression, epilepsy etc[176, 238, 283]. Externally, it is used to treat body parasites, dermatosis and haemorrhoids[283]. The root can be harvested at any time of the year, except when the plant is in flower[238]. The root contains an essential oil consisting of asarone and asaryl aldehyde, plus a bitter glucoside acorin[176, 283]. Asarone increases the hypnotic effect of barbiturates and ethanol, lowers blood pressure and is antibacterial against Staphylococcus aureus, streptococci and mycobacterium[176]. The whole plant is anodyne, antiperiodic, antispasmodic, digestive, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, sedative, stimulant, stomachic, sudorific, tonic, vermifuge[218].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Essential Insecticide Parasiticide Repellent

The dried root repels insects[178]. It is probably also insecticidal[178, 240] and is used in Vietnam to kill lice, bugs and fleas[283]. An essential oil is obtained from the plant[240]. A useful ground cover plant, forming a spreading clump[208].

Special Uses

Ground cover Scented Plants

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Container, Foundation, Ground cover, Massing, Rock garden, Seashore. Grows well in shallow water margins of ponds etc[1, 2], though it can also succeeds in drier habitats[56]. Requires a sunny position[200]. A very ornamental plant, there are some named varieties[208, 238]. The cultivar 'Pusillus' can be grown as a submerged aquatic plant[238]. Special Features:Attractive foliage, Fragrant foliage, Not North American native, Naturalizing, Wetlands plant, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

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. Division in spring just before growth starts[1]. Very easy, the plants can be divided at any time in the growing season and can be planted direct into their permanent positions[K].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Zhejiang Sheng, Hunan Sheng, Hubei Sheng, Gansu Sheng, Jiangxi Sheng, Guangdong Sheng, Guizhou Sheng, Shaanxi Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Yunnan Sheng, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, Xizang Zizhiqu), Japan (Honshu, Kyushu, Ryukyu Islands, Shikoku), Korea, South, Taiwan TROPICAL ASIA: India (Sikkim), Myanmar (north), Philippines (Luzon)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Acorus calamus	Sweet Flag - Calamus	Perennial	1.0	4-11	M	LMH	N	WeWa	3	4	4
Iris pseudacorus	Yellow Flag, Paleyellow iris	Perennial	1.5	5-8	M	LM	SN	MWeWa	1	2	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Acorus gramineus - Sol. ex Aiton.