Acorus gramineus
- Phonetic Spelling
- AH-kor-us gram-IN-ee-us
- Description
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Acorus gramineus is not a grass but is grown as an ornamental grass for its foliage. Acorus gramineus grows well in many conditions including wet, boggy sites and actually prefers damp soil. This plant can handle up to 4 inches of standing water; it does not perform well in dry soils. Even though Acorus gramineus likes full sun, it does not like the heat: make sure that it can have shade in the afternoon or even just dappled sunlight to avoid the intensity of the afternoon sun if the climate is quite hot. When planting, space 8-12 inches apart. This plant spreads by rhizomes.
Meaning behind the name: The common name insinuates that the plant is sweet-smelling, which they are (at least when they are crushed). Gramineus means grass in Latin.
Family Change: This plant has its own family group (Acoraceae) though it used to be in the Arum family.
Native to: eastern China (specifically, China, Japan, Korea, India, Thailand, Myanmar, and the Philippines)
Insect, Disease, or Other Plant Problems: Insect and disease problems are not a problem for this plant. However, if soils are dry, issues can arouse (such as scorching).
Possible locations to plant: Acorus gramineus can be planted to the side of streams, bogs, ponds, in woodlands, along water banks, in rock gardens, for foundation plants, accent plants, or even along a border front. Great for an edging groundcover. Good container plant if kept moist.
Plants with similar conditions: Carex
- 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:
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- 'Minimus aureus'
- 'Oborozuki'
- 'Ogon'
- 'Variegatus'
- 'Minimus aureus'
- 'Minimus aureus', 'Oborozuki', 'Ogon', 'Variegatus'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Acorus
- Species:
- gramineus
- Family:
- Acoraceae
- 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
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- Low
- 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 Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 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 Description:
- After flowers bloom, red berries that are fleshy 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 spadix that is about 3 inches long (2-4 inches).
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- In general, Acorus gramineus's leaves are 1/4 inch wide, 6-12 inches long (but may be up to 18 inches long), narrow, linear, shiny/glossy, erect, smell sweet (fragrant), may be dark green, and speads by roots. This plant is grown for foliage. which smells sweet. Acorus gramineus 'Oborozuki' has long, arching downward, narrow, light green leaves (similar to grass).
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Small Space
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Rain Garden
- Rock Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Mass Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Erosion
- Wet Soil