Acorus americanus - Sweet Flag

Sizes available: TBD, coming in 2026

Basics: zones 1-6, 24-36" x 18-24", full sun, yellowish green bloom occurs in late spring on a fleshy spadix among scrappy, bright green leaves, wants wet soil and can live in up to 9 inches of standing water

Common names: Several-veined Sweetflag, Sweet Flag, American Sweet Flag, Belle-angelique, Sweet Sedge, Sweet Calomel, Calamus Root, Flag Root, Muskrat Root

Family: Acoraceae

Origin/Distribution: Native to Maine. Also native to Siberia. Occurs in 25 of the lower 48 states and all Canadian Provinces. It is extinct or protected in the southern part of its historical range and it is classified as an endangered species in Pennsylvania. 

Habitat: pond edges, wet fields, wetland margins, bog, marsh, lake and stream side

More: The root has been used medicinally in North America and the leaves have been used to flavor beer. Some strains of the plant contain beta-asarone, a carcinogen, so proceed with caution. The leaves of this fresh water aquatic are enjoyed by muskrats. It is an attractive shore stabilizer that spreads by rhizome. This plant has been traded and relocated along travel lines in North America and numerous isolated populations occur near former settlement sites.

Source: sown at Honey Petal Plants with seed from Prairie Moon Nursery

Image credits: both images from Wikimedia Commons