Japanese rush, Rock sweet flag
Acorus gramineus

Family: Acoraceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.

There are 2 Acorus species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows well in shallow water and ponds. It grows in wetlands. It needs a sunny position. It can grow in well watered garden beds. In China it grows on moist rocky stream banks below 2,600 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 5-10. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Cambodia, Canada, China, India, Indochina, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, North America, Northeastern India, Philippines, Russia, SE Asia, Siberia, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The root is peeled and cooked in several changes of water. It is used as a ginger substitute. It is used to flavour rice. It should probably be only used in moderate amounts.

Edible parts

Root - spice, leaves - flavouring

How it is grown

It can be grown from seed or by division of clumps. The seedlings need to be kept in moist soil.

Its other names

Local names

Grass-leaved sweet flag, Ji xiang, Rock Acorus, Sekisho, Shi Changpu

Synonyms

Acorus humilis Salisb.; Acorus macrospadiceus (Yamam.) F. N. Wei & Y. K. Li; Acorus pusillus Siebold; Acorus xiangyeus Z. Y. Zhu;