Plant Details

Acorus calamus

Sweet Flag, Calamus

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Common names

88 names · 37 languages
EnglishYour language
+28 more namesShow fewer names
  • Calamus Root[1]
  • Calamus Sweet Flag[1]
  • Calmus[1]
  • Drug Sweetflag[1]
  • Eurasian Sweet-Flag[1]
  • Eurasian Sweetflag[1]
  • European Sweet-flag[1]
  • European Sweetflag[1]
  • Flagroot[1]
  • gladdon[1]
  • Myrtle Flag[1]
  • Myrtle Grass[1]
  • Myrtle Sedge[1]
  • pine root[1]
  • Rat Root[1]
  • Single-veined Sweetflag[1]
  • Sweet Calomel[1]
  • Sweet Cane[1]
  • sweet cinnamon[1]
  • Sweet Colomel[1]
  • Sweet Flag[1]
  • sweet myrtle[1]
  • Sweet Root[1]
  • Sweet Rush[1]
  • Sweet Sedge[1]
  • sweet segg[1]
  • sweet-flag[1]
  • Vegetable Calomel[1]
Other languages (36)
Dutch
  • Kalmoes[1]
  • Zwanenbrood
French
  • acore odorant[1]
  • Acore vrai
  • jonc odorant[1]
Afrikaans
+2 more namesShow fewer names
Arabic
  • وج آسيوي[1]
Armenian
  • Խնկեղեգ ճահճային[1]
Belarusian
  • Аер звычайны[1]
Cherokee
  • ᎤᏲᏓᎵ[1]
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Cree
  • wacaskomêciwin[1]
  • wîhkês[1]
Czech
  • puškvorec obecný[1]
Danish
Estonian
  • harilik kalmus[1]
Finnish
  • rohtokalmojuuri[1]
German
  • Gewöhnlicher Kalmus[1]
  • Indischer Kalmus[1]
  • Kalmus[1]
Hindi
Hungarian
  • Kálmos[1]
  • orvosi kálmos[1]
Indonesian
Italian
  • Calamo aromatico[1]
Japanese
  • ショウブ[1]
Korean
Lithuanian
  • Balinis ajeras[1]
Norwegian
Ojibwe
  • Wiiken (Na'bûgûck)[1]
Polish
  • Tatarak zwyczajny[1]
Portuguese
  • Cálamo-aromático[1]
Russian
  • Аир болотный[1]
  • Аир обыкновенный[1]
  • Аир тростниковый[1]
Sinhala
  • වදකහ[1]
Slovak
  • puškvorec obyčajný[1]
Slovenian
  • pravi kolmež[1]
Spanish
  • cálamo acuático asiático[1]
  • cálamo aromático asiático[1]
  • Ácoro verdadero[1]
Swedish
Thai
  • ว่านน้ำ[1]
Turkish
  • eğirkökü[1]
Ukrainian
  • Лепеха звичайна[1]
Zulu
+1 more nameShow fewer names
  • indawolucwatha[1]
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Acorus calamus — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Eurasian Sweet-Flag — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • jeringau — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • cálamo acuático asiático — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • cálamo aromático asiático — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • acore odorant — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • jonc odorant — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Kalmus — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Indischer Kalmus — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • calamus — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • puškvorec obecný — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • sweet-flag — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Kalmus — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Аир обыкновенный — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • kalmusrot — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Kalmoes — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Gewöhnlicher Kalmus — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Ácoro verdadero — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Аир тростниковый — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Аир болотный — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • rohtokalmojuuri — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Balinis ajeras — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Cálamo-aromático — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Tatarak zwyczajny — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Wiiken (Na'bûgûck) — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • 水菖蒲 — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • ショウブ — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • sweet myrtle — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • වදකහ — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Խնկեղեգ ճահճային — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Kalmoes — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • eğirkökü — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • kalmus — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Лепеха звичайна — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • pravi kolmež — results[0].names[35]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Аер звычайны — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • calamus — results[0].names[37]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • kalmus — results[0].names[38]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Makkalmoes — results[0].names[39]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • makkalmus — results[0].names[40]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Calamus Root — results[0].names[41]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Calamus Sweet Flag — results[0].names[42]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Calmus — results[0].names[43]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Flagroot — results[0].names[44]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Myrtle Flag — results[0].names[45]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Myrtle Grass — results[0].names[46]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Myrtle Sedge — results[0].names[47]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Sweet Calomel — results[0].names[48]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Sweet Cane — results[0].names[49]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Sweet Colomel — results[0].names[50]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Sweet Flag — results[0].names[51]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Sweet Root — results[0].names[52]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Sweet Rush — results[0].names[53]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Sweet Sedge — results[0].names[54]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Vegetable Calomel — results[0].names[55]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • ikalamuzi — results[0].names[56]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • ikhalamusi — results[0].names[57]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • inDawocwatha — results[0].names[58]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • indawolucwatha — results[0].names[59]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • 菖蒲 — results[0].names[60]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • ว่านน้ำ — results[0].names[61]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • harilik kalmus — results[0].names[62]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • wîhkês — results[0].names[63]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • wacaskomêciwin — results[0].names[64]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Single-veined Sweetflag — results[0].names[65]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Eurasian Sweetflag — results[0].names[66]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • European Sweetflag — results[0].names[67]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • European Sweet-flag — results[0].names[68]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Asian Sweet-Flag — results[0].names[69]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • وج آسيوي — results[0].names[70]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Kálmos — results[0].names[71]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • ᎤᏲᏓᎵ — results[0].names[72]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • orvosi kálmos — results[0].names[73]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Calamo aromatico — results[0].names[74]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Drug Sweetflag — results[0].names[75]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • sweet segg — results[0].names[76]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • sweet cinnamon — results[0].names[77]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • Rat Root — results[0].names[78]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • pine root — results[0].names[79]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • beewort — results[0].names[80]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • gladdon — results[0].names[81]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • 水菖蒲 — results[0].names[82]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • 白菖蒲 — results[0].names[83]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • बच — results[0].names[84]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • puškvorec obyčajný — results[0].names[85]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • 菖蒲 — results[0].names[86]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.
  • 창포 — results[0].names[87]; taxon id 82306; Acorus calamus.

General information

Scientific name: Acorus calamus
Accepted name (Kew): Acorus calamus L. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Acoraceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Acorus (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Sweet Flag, Calamus
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Aquatic
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 0.61–0.76 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Spread: 0.46–0.61 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Growth rate: Moderate
Sources [3]
Foliage: Deciduous
Sources [3]
Growth habit: Clumping, Erect, Spreading

Whole-plant habit and form as described by NC State.

Sources [3]
Life cycle: Perennial
Sources [3]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b

USDA zones listed by NC State; winter survival does not establish reliable cropping.

Sources [3]
Soil moisture:
Frequent Standing Water, Occasionally Wet

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [3]
Soil:
Clay, Loam (Silt)
Sources [3]
pH:
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Sources [3]
Light:
Full sun, Partial Shade
Sources [3]

Uses

Edible parts:
Leaves, Condiment, Root, Stem
Edibility rating:
(3)
Medicinal rating:
(4)
Functions:
Basketry, Incense, Insecticide, Repellent

Description

The root of this plant can be prepared and eaten in various ways. It can be peeled, washed, and eaten raw as a fruit after the bitterness has been removed. When roasted, it has a nice flavor and can also serve as a flavoring. The root contains about 1% essential oil that is used as a food flavoring, along with a bitter glycoside for which caution is advised due to potential toxicity. Dried and ground, the root has a spicy flavor and can be used as a substitute for ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg. A pinch of the powder is often added to tea for extra flavor. Young and tender flower heads are enjoyed by children for their sweetness. Young leaves can be cooked and contain 0.078% oxalic acid. They can be used to enhance flavor, similar to vanilla pods. The inner part of young stems can be eaten raw and makes a delicious addition to salads.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/09
Harvest ends: 31/10

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 947381; name ID 2295; Acorus L.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 947385; name ID 2304; Acorus calamus L..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Acorus calamus

    Taxonomic data from WCVP, version 16.0, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. This shares the Kew WCVP evidence base cited on this page.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 1912320, ID 64MF2: Acorus calamus L. (accepted).

    Source checked on .

  3. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Acorus calamus — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: HeightSpreadGrowth rateFoliageGrowth habitLife cycleLightSoil moistureSoil textureSoil pHUSDA hardiness
    Relevant sections
    • Height: Dimensions > Height; Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
    • Spread: Dimensions > Width; Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .