Calamus

Scientific Name: Acorus calamus L.

Classification: Plantae/ Tracheobionta / Spermatophyta / Magnoliophyta / Liliopsida / Arecidae / Arales / Acoraceae / Acorus L./ Acorus calamus L.

Calamus
General Information
Usda SymbolACCA4
GroupMonocot
Life CyclePerennial
Growth HabitsForb/herb
Native LocationsACCA4

Plant Guide

Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Calamus.

Fact Sheet

Alternate Names

Calamus

Uses

Cultural Primarily, sweet flag is or was known by the American Indian tribes and early settlers for its medicinal value, Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Calamus., Although the preparation of this species and the ailments it treats vary somewhat among the tribes, rhizomes are the most commonly used part, Wildlife Sweet flag provides habitat for waterfowl, Muskrats eat the rhizomes and wood ducks consume the seed,

Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status (e.g. threatened or endangered species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

Description

Sweet flag is a perennial, rhizomatous, iris-like herb. The erect, sharp-pointed, sword-shaped leaves fan-out from a pinkish base and grow to 5 feet in length. The midvein is usually off-center. Cut or bruised leaves produce a sweet, tangerine-like scent. The flower stem, or scape, arises from the base of the outer leaves. Although resembling a leaf, the scape is triangular in cross section. A long, erect bract, or spathe, extends beyond the scape. A single, cylindrical 2 to 4-inch spike, or spadex, angles upward at this union. The slightly curved spadix is crowded with small yellowish-green to brown flowers that appear from May to July. Sweet flag has thick, creeping rhizomes with brownish exteriors and white, fleshy interiors. Tony Bush Rose Lake Plant Materials Center East Lansing, Michigan

Adaptation and Distribution

Distribution

Distribution

Sweet flag is irregularly circumboreal. In North America it is found from Nova Scotia and Quebec to Minnesota, Alberta and Eastern Washington, south to Florida, Texas and Colorado on wet soils and shallow water in ditches, marshes, river edges and ponds. It prefers full sun and a pH range from 5 to 7. For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Website.

Establishment

Sweet flag can be propagated vegetatively by plant or rhizome division, and by seed. Vegetative propagation is best completed in the fall or spring using firm, healthy rhizomes cut into 2- to 4-inch sections. Plant sections in rich soil 4 - 6 inches deep and 1 foot apart. Separating individual sprigs from clumped plants is an alternative to using rhizomes. These should also be transplanted at 1-foot spacings. Seed should be planted during the fall or winter in a greenhouse. Fill a 2-inch deep tray with an organic soil mix, scatter seed sparsely on the surface and press firmly into the soil. Do not bury further than 1/8 inch deep. Keep soil moist to saturated. Seed does not require stratification and germinates in less than 2 weeks. When plants reach 3 to 4 inches transplant into individual 4-inch pots. Pots can be placed in shallow water or irrigated frequently to maintain very moist to saturated conditions. Transplant outdoors 1 foot apart in the spring. With adequate moisture seed can also be planted outdoors spring through early summer, or in a cold frame late summer through fall.

Plant Traits

Growth Requirements

Temperature, Minimum (°F)-38
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsNo
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Anaerobic ToleranceHigh
CaCO3 ToleranceMedium
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Drought ToleranceNone
Fertility RequirementMedium
Fire ToleranceHigh
Frost Free Days, Minimum90
Hedge ToleranceNone
Moisture UseHigh
pH, Maximum7.2
pH, Minimum5.2
Planting Density per Acre, Maxim4850
Planting Density per Acre, Minim2700
Precipitation, Maximum60
Precipitation, Minimum32
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)12
Salinity ToleranceLow
Shade ToleranceIntolerant


Morphology/Physiology

After Harvest Regrowth RateModerate
ToxicityNone
Resprout AbilityNo
Shape and OrientationSemi-Erect
Active Growth PeriodSpring and Summer
BloatNone
C:N RatioHigh
Coppice PotentialNo
Fall ConspicuousNo
Fire ResistantNo
Flower ColorYellow
Flower ConspicuousNo
Foliage ColorGreen
Foliage Porosity SummerDense
Foliage Porosity WinterPorous
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Nitrogen FixationNone
Low Growing GrassNo
LifespanModerate
Leaf RetentionNo
Known AllelopathNo
Height, Mature (feet)5.0
Growth RateModerate
Growth FormRhizomatous
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Foliage TextureCoarse


Reproduction

Vegetative Spread RateModerate
Small GrainNo
Seedling VigorLow
Seed Spread RateNone
Fruit/Seed Period EndSummer
Seed per Pound498454
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by SprigsYes
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SeedNo
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by ContainerYes
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by Bare RootYes
Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSummer
Fruit/Seed AbundanceLow
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Bloom PeriodLate Spring
Propagated by CuttingsNo


Suitability/Use

Veneer ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Protein PotentialLow
Post ProductNo
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable Graze AnimalLow
Palatable Browse AnimalLow
Nursery Stock ProductYes
Naval Store ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Fodder ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo

Calamus

Calamus

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