Sweet Flag

Scientific name

Acorus americanus

Description

Sweet Flag is a perennial wildflower species that can grow about 1.5 m in height. The basal leaves are bright green colored, sword shaped, have an off center mid-vein, and have a sweet fragrance when broken. The flowers are tiny, yellowish brown colored, appear in a finger-like spike cluster on a flowering stalk, and bloom between June and July. This plant closely resembles Cattail or Iris species. The roots are valuable for controlling erosion and stabilizing shorelines.

Planting conditions

Sweet flag grows best in wet conditions with full or partial sun exposure. It prefers poorly drained, silty sand or loam soil. It is very tolerant of flooding and should be planted close to the water's edge. Established individuals can tolerate periods of drought but will likely have reduced success. This wildflower can be naturally found around wetlands, ponds, and along river or lake shorelines.

Details

• Plant height:
  • Max 1.5m
  • Max 2m
  • Max 3m
  • Any
• Moisture level:
  • Wet
  • Flood Tolerant
• Light conditions:
  • Full sun
  • Partial sun
• Soil type:
  • Sandy
  • Loamy
• pH:
  • Normal
• Depth:
  • Wildflower
• Eco Zone:
  • 3a
  • 3b
  • 4a
  • 4b
  • 5a
  • 5b
  • 6a
  • 6b
• Plant type:
  • Wildflower
• Height:
  • 1.5 m
• Spread:
  • 1 m