Acorus

ACORUS (ak’-oh-rus). The name of a few, hardy, swamp-loving herbs of the Arum Family. They have slender, grassy leaves and inconspicuous, greenish flowers on a thick spike (spadix) partly surrounded by a bract (spathe). They are often planted in the bog garden and are increased by division. Acorus calamus, the Sweet Flag, grows as high as 6 ft. with attractive, long, narrow foliage and a spadix 4 in. long. The roots are dug by country people and boiled in syrup to make a spicy candy.

Acorus gramineus and its var. variegatus are much smaller plants and are often used in hanging baskets, in the rock garden, and for cutting. They are sometimes grown as house plants.

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