PlantFiles: Sweet Flag
Acorus calamus

This is a rapid spreading plant. I suspect it have more dry tolerate as a clump grew fine in a small non draining pot put in the ground and get no extra water. Seem to have some shade tolerance. Nice to use in a pot in the pond but need to be cut every three years as it will overcrowd the pots and spread their rhizomes some distance beyond the pot.

Extra info May 2, 2008: I have success growing it as a cattail - like plant in woodland shade in a stream. It is smaller in woodland shade but more tame.

Sweet Flag, Acorus calamus, is native to Texas and other States.

This is the plant that Walt Whitman was referring to in his collection of poems "Leaves of Grass". He enjoyed eating the rhysome of the plant and it was said to be energizing. It was known as an american indian medicinal plant.

“Leaves of Grass! The largest leaves of grass known! Calamus! Yes, that is Calamus! Profuse, rich, noble, upright, emotional!"

Information only, I do not grow this plant.

This plant grows in water and boggy, wet soils and has iris-like leaves. The flower cluster is an outward jutting finger shaped cluster of brownish-green. The fruit is a small berry with a gelatin-like texture.

Common along swamps, marshes, riverbanks, meadows and small streams throughout the east. The only places it can't be found is Florida and the Arctic.

The thick rhizomes were sometimes candied and this old-fashioned confection is called calamus. It has a distinctive odor and flavor.