Acorus gramineus

Acorus gramineus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Plantae
Clade:Angiosperms
Clade:Monocots
Order:Acorales
Family:Acoraceae
Genus:Acorus
Species: A. gramineus
Binomial name
Acorus gramineus
Sol. Aiton, 1789

Acorus gramineus, commonly known as grass-leaf sweet flag,[1] dwarf sedge, Japanese rush, and Japanese sweet flag, is a botanical species belonging to the genus Acorus, native to Japan, Korea in eastern Asia. The plant usually grows in wetlands and shallow water.

Description

This shrubby plant's long, narrow, slightly curved leaves may grow to 30 cm (12 inches) in height. It can grow fully or partially submerged, or in very moist soil, but it will usually only flower when at least partially submerged.

Var. pusillus has slightly shorter, more rigid glossy green leaves, while var. variegatus has longer leaves streaked with yellow.

Cultivation and uses

Acorus gramineus spreads aggressively by rhizome, creating a nearly-seamless groundcover where conditions are favorable, and it is frequently used around the edges of ponds and water gardens,[2] as well as submerged in freshwater aquaria. It can be propagated by dividing the fleshy underwater rhizome and planting the base in shallow water.

In Japan during the Heian period, leaves of the plant were gathered for the Sweet Flag Festival on the fifth day of the fifth month. Sweet flag and wormwood were spread on the roofs of houses for decoration and to ward off evil spirits. Special herbal balls made of sweet flag were also fashioned for the occasion.

Notes

  1. ↑ English Names for Korean Native Plants (PDF). Pocheon: Korea National Arboretum. 2015. p. 517. ISBN 978-89-97450-98-5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2017. Retrieved 25 January 2016 – via Korea Forest Service.
  2. ↑ "Acorus gramineus". Archived from the original on 2007-11-13. Retrieved 2007-11-28.

References

  • Simon & Schuster's Guide to Freshwater and Marine Aquarium Fishes. New York, New York, United States: Simon & Schuster, Inc. 1976. ISBN 0-671-22809-9.
  • Sei Shōnagon (2006). The Pillow Book. Translated by Meredith McKinney. London, England: Penguin Books, Ltd. pp. 41–42, 282. ISBN 0-140-44806-3.
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