SWEET FLAG
Acorus americanus
SKU: 2020-010
Description
Acorus americanus, the American sweet flag, is a wetland plant native to the northern United States and Canada. This perennial plant has bright green blade-shaped leaves. The foliage has a citrus-like spicy aromatic quality, and can be used to flavor beer. It is a flowering plant with inconspicuous flowers that are arranged on a lateral spadix (a thickened, fleshy axis) and the fertilized flowers produce berries with a jelly inside. This plant is protected as a state endangered species in Pennsylvania.
This plant was used extensively by Native Americans and early European settlers.
The species name, "americanus" simply indicates that this is an American species of this genus, differentiating it from the very similar European and western Asian species Acorus calamus. Acorus americanus was formerly classified as Acorus calamus var. americanus. It differs only in being a fertile diploid (2n = 24)], whereas most of the A. calamus of Europe and Asia is a sterile triploid species, that only spreads asexually.
Type: Hardy perennial
Hardiness zones: 3-6
Height: 18", 45cm
Location: Sun
Seeds per pack: 10
Note: Ornamental use only. These seeds and/or plants are poisonous.
Germination: Start these seeds right away to preserve viability, no matter the time of year. These seeds require a period of cold. Sow the seeds just under the surface of a sterile seed-start mix, and water in. Leave them at room temperature for 2 weeks. They will not grow yet. Then cover them with plastic and place in a fridge for 5-6 weeks. Be sure they stay moist. After the cold stratification period they are then brought back to room temperature for them to germinate. If possible, the best location for sowing in March, April and May, is in cold frame or a cold greenhouse where they will receive the cold period and fluctuating temperatures naturally.
Description
Acorus americanus, the American sweet flag, is a wetland plant native to the northern United States and Canada. This perennial plant has bright green blade-shaped leaves. The foliage has a citrus-like spicy aromatic quality, and can be used to flavor beer. It is a flowering plant with inconspicuous flowers that are arranged on a lateral spadix (a thickened, fleshy axis) and the fertilized flowers produce berries with a jelly inside. This plant is protected as a state endangered species in Pennsylvania.
This plant was used extensively by Native Americans and early European settlers.
The species name, "americanus" simply indicates that this is an American species of this genus, differentiating it from the very similar European and western Asian species Acorus calamus. Acorus americanus was formerly classified as Acorus calamus var. americanus. It differs only in being a fertile diploid (2n = 24)], whereas most of the A. calamus of Europe and Asia is a sterile triploid species, that only spreads asexually.
Type: Hardy perennial
Hardiness zones: 3-6
Height: 18", 45cm
Location: Sun
Seeds per pack: 10
Note: Ornamental use only. These seeds and/or plants are poisonous.
Germination: Start these seeds right away to preserve viability, no matter the time of year. These seeds require a period of cold. Sow the seeds just under the surface of a sterile seed-start mix, and water in. Leave them at room temperature for 2 weeks. They will not grow yet. Then cover them with plastic and place in a fridge for 5-6 weeks. Be sure they stay moist. After the cold stratification period they are then brought back to room temperature for them to germinate. If possible, the best location for sowing in March, April and May, is in cold frame or a cold greenhouse where they will receive the cold period and fluctuating temperatures naturally.
