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Acorus calamus
Also called Beewort, Calamus root, Flag root, Muskrat root, Pine root, Rat root, Sweet calomel
Sweet flag (Acorus calamus) is a tall, fragrant perennial wetland plant grown from a spreading rhizome, often at pond and marsh edges. Keep its roots moist or in shallow water, and it will thrive in full sun.
Acorus calamus (also called sweet flag, sway or muskrat root, among many other common names) is a species of flowering plant. It is a tall wetland monocot of the family Acoraceae, in the genus Acorus. Although used in traditional medicine over centuries to treat digestive disorders and pain, it has no clinical evidence of safety or efficacy and may be toxic if ingested, and so has been commercially banned for use in food in the United States.
Calamus leaves and rhizomes contain a volatile oil that gives a characteristic odor and flavor. Major components of the oil are beta-asarone (as much as 75%), methyl isoeugenol (as much as 40%) and alpha-asarone, saponins, lectins, sesquiterpenoids, lignans, and steroids. Phytochemicals in the plant vary according to geographic location, plant age, climate, species variety, and plant component extracted. Diploids do not contain beta-asarone.
Sweet flag is native to the Irtysh River valley in Kazakhstan, but has been widely introduced worldwide. Habitats include edges of small lakes, ponds and rivers, marshes, swamps, and other wetlands.
A. calamus has been an item of trade in many cultures for centuries. It has been used in traditional medicine for various ailments, and the aroma of its essential oil is used in the perfume industry. The essence from the rhizome is used as a flavor for foods, alcoholic beverages, and bitters in Europe. It was also once used to make candy.
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Acorus calamus by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
