Acorus gramineus
- Phonetic Spelling
- AH-kor-us gram-IN-ee-us
- Description
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Japanesse sweetflag is a flowering monocot in the the sweetflag family (Acoraceae) native to Japan, Korea and eastern Asia. The Genus name comes from the Greek word acoron, which means "pupil". The specific epithet comes from the Latin word meaning grass referring to its grass-like appearance..
The clump-forming plant grows up to 1 foot tall and spreads by rhizomes to form a ground cover. It grows in partially submerged conditions or very wet soils in full sun to partial shade. In hot summer areas, it will do best with some afternoon shade. Plant 8 to 12 inches apart to allow room to spread.
The spring flowers are insignificant and are followed by small berries. The plant is grown for its grass-like appearance and the leaves are
Plant along streams, bogs, ponds, in wet woodlands, and along water banks, It can be used for an edging groundcover or in a container if the soil is kept moist.
Insect, Disease, or Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. However, if soils are dry, issues can arise (such as leaf scorching).
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Minimus aureus'
- 'Oborozuki'
- 'Ogon'
- 'Variegatus'
- 'Minimus aureus'
- 'Minimus aureus', 'Oborozuki', 'Ogon', 'Variegatus'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Minimus aureus'
- 'Oborozuki'
- 'Ogon'
- 'Variegatus'
- 'Minimus aureus'
- 'Minimus aureus', 'Oborozuki', 'Ogon', 'Variegatus'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Acorus
- Species:
- gramineus
- Family:
- Acoraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Japan, Korea and eastern Asia
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- erosion, wet soil
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Dense
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- After flowers bloom, small red fleshy berries appear.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Insignificant
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- These small, lateral flowers are green and yellow, blooming in mid-spring/ summer (around May to June) on a spike that is up to 4 inches long
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Green leaves are 1/4 inch wide, 6-12 inches long (but may be up to 18 inches long), narrow, linear, shiny/glossy, erect and smell sweet when crushed.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Riparian
- Slope/Bank
- Small Space
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Erosion
- Wet Soil
