Acorus gramineus
Grassy leaved Sweet Flag, Dwarf Sedge, Japanese rush, and Japanese sweet flag
Here is an interesting and versatile plant for a variety of moist shady places. It will also grow in shallow water and has been used in aquaria. It is a variable plant growing to a height of 400mm depending upon the cultivar grown.
A native of eastern Asia it has slender rhizomes which may be upright or horizontal from which strong grassy like leaves are produced. Its flowers are a 75mm long spadix which is a long flower spike that you would find in an arum lily without the large surrounding spathe (petal).
There are several cultivars available in NZ and overseas.
Acorus gramineus var. pusillus A dwarf growing cultivar with bright green leaves
Acorus gramineus var. albovariegatus growing up to 400mm with white striped leaves.
Acorus gramineus var. variegatus growing up to 400mm also with white striped leaves.
Acorus gramineus var. aureovariegata a more horizontal growing form with yellow/green foliage.
Acorus gramineus ‘Hakuro-Nishiki’ a Japanese variety with compact yellow green foliage.
Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’ a Japanese variety with cream and chartreuse stripe variegated leaves.
Acorus gramineus 'Licorice' has foliage and rhizomes that smell like anise.
Acorus gramineus 'Minimus', and Acorus gramineus 'Minimus Aureus' which has yellowish leaves, are tiny cultivars, only 8 cm tall and suitable for aquaria and small pots.
Propagation is by division of the creping rhizomes many of which will have roots already in the soil.
Japanese sweet flag is used along pond margins and at the edges of water gardens. It's a great foliage plant for shallow water, marshy areas and damp shady places. It spreads by rhizomes and will eventually produce a seamless turf, making a beautiful groundcover. When walked upon, it releases a fragrance reminiscent of cinnamon. It can be rapid growing in warmer climates but in Christchurch it is rather slow. It is also used in fresh water aquaria.
This is a plant that has been grown for many years for a variety of uses as it has a number of cultivars and has been used for food, the rhizomes are cleaned and cooked, and also for a wide range of medicinal uses. Growing naturally in wet or damp places it would have been easily available to people from hundreds of years. However any use of this plant requires sound knowledge of the plant and its properties.
Here is an interesting and versatile plant for a variety of moist shady places. It will also grow in shallow water and has been used in aquaria. It is a variable plant growing to a height of 400mm depending upon the cultivar grown.
A native of eastern Asia it has slender rhizomes which may be upright or horizontal from which strong grassy like leaves are produced. Its flowers are a 75mm long spadix which is a long flower spike that you would find in an arum lily without the large surrounding spathe (petal).
There are several cultivars available in NZ and overseas.
Acorus gramineus var. pusillus A dwarf growing cultivar with bright green leaves
Acorus gramineus var. albovariegatus growing up to 400mm with white striped leaves.
Acorus gramineus var. variegatus growing up to 400mm also with white striped leaves.
Acorus gramineus var. aureovariegata a more horizontal growing form with yellow/green foliage.
Acorus gramineus ‘Hakuro-Nishiki’ a Japanese variety with compact yellow green foliage.
Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’ a Japanese variety with cream and chartreuse stripe variegated leaves.
Acorus gramineus 'Licorice' has foliage and rhizomes that smell like anise.
Acorus gramineus 'Minimus', and Acorus gramineus 'Minimus Aureus' which has yellowish leaves, are tiny cultivars, only 8 cm tall and suitable for aquaria and small pots.
Propagation is by division of the creping rhizomes many of which will have roots already in the soil.
Japanese sweet flag is used along pond margins and at the edges of water gardens. It's a great foliage plant for shallow water, marshy areas and damp shady places. It spreads by rhizomes and will eventually produce a seamless turf, making a beautiful groundcover. When walked upon, it releases a fragrance reminiscent of cinnamon. It can be rapid growing in warmer climates but in Christchurch it is rather slow. It is also used in fresh water aquaria.
This is a plant that has been grown for many years for a variety of uses as it has a number of cultivars and has been used for food, the rhizomes are cleaned and cooked, and also for a wide range of medicinal uses. Growing naturally in wet or damp places it would have been easily available to people from hundreds of years. However any use of this plant requires sound knowledge of the plant and its properties.