Practical
Plants

Acorus gramineus

a perennial member of the Acorus genus in the family Araceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Araceae
Genus
Acorus
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.3 (unit unspecified)
Spread
0.15 (unit unspecified)
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Although no records of toxicity have been seen, this species belongs to a family where most of the species are poisonous, at least in the fresh state. The following notes are from the related A. calamus - the fresh root can be poisonous[21]. When using the plant medicinally, the isolated essential oil should not be used[4].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Root - raw or cooked[2][6]. It should be peeled, finely chopped and soaked in several changes of water first[8]. A stronger and more pleasing taste than A. calamus[9][8]. The root is also used as a ginger substitute[6]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Product or use
Condiment
Plant part
Root

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The root is antifungal, antibacterial, antiperiodic, antirheumatic, antispasmodic, aromatic, cardiac, carminative, diaphoretic, emmenaggue, febrifuge, sedative, stimulant, stomachic, tonic and vermifuge[17][21][22][12][20][3][4][5][7][13][14][15][16]. It is also powdered and applied to bleeding gums[13][14]. It is used internally in the treatment of digestive problems, depression and epilepsy[5][14]. The root can be harvested at any time of the year, except when the plant is in flower[14]. The root contains asarone[5]. This substance increases the hypnotic effect of barbiturates and ethanol, lowers blood pressure and is antibacterial against Staphylococcus aureus, streptococci and mycobacterium[5]. The whole plant is anodyne, antiperiodic, antispasmodic, digestive, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, sedative, stimulant, stomachic, sudorific, tonic, vermifuge[13].

Product or use
Anodyne
Plant part
Roots
Product or use
Antibacterial
Plant part
Roots
Product or use
Antifungal
Plant part
Roots
Product or use
Antiperiodic
Plant part
Roots
Product or use
Antirheumatic
Plant part
Roots
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Plant part
Roots
Product or use
Aromatic
Plant part
Roots
Product or use
Cardiac
Plant part
Roots
Product or use
Carminative
Plant part
Roots
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Plant part
Roots
Product or use
Diuretic
Plant part
Roots
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Plant part
Roots
Product or use
Expectorant
Plant part
Roots
Product or use
Febrifuge
Plant part
Roots
Product or use
Sedative
Plant part
Roots
Product or use
Stimulant
Plant part
Roots
Product or use
Stomachic
Plant part
Roots
Product or use
Tonic
Plant part
Roots
Product or use
Vermifuge

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The dried root repels insects[7]. It is probably also insecticidal[7][15]. An essential oil is obtained from the plant[15]. A useful ground cover plant, forming a spreading clump[11].

Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Insecticide
Product or use
Repellent

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan, India.
Habitat
Wet places by streams and around ponds in C. and S. Japan[19].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
aquatic
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Wind
No
Maritime
No
Pollution
No
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Stand the pot in about 3cm of water. Pot up young seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle, keep them wet by standing the pots in shallow water and overwinter for the first year in a greenhouse or cold frame. Division in spring just before growth starts[1]. Very easy, the plants can be divided at any time in the growing season and can be planted direct into their permanent positions[K].

Seed Requires Scarification
No
Seed Requires Smokification
No
Seed Requires Stratification
No

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Grows well in shallow water margins of ponds etc[1][9], though it can also succeeds in drier habitats[18]. Requires a sunny position[10]. A very ornamental plant, there are some named varieties[11][14]. The cultivar 'Pusillus' can be grown as a submerged aquatic plant[14].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 32202/01/01

    ↩1↩2

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 32202/01/01

    ↩

  3. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

    ↩

  4. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

    ↩1↩2

  5. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 32202/01/01

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  6. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 32202/01/01 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩1↩2

  7. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  9. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2

  10. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩

  11. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩1↩2

  12. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩

  13. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3

  14. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  15. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 32202/01/01

    ↩1↩2↩3

  16. Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea World Health Organisation, Manila 32202/01/01 ISBN 92 9061 120 0

    ↩

  17. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩

  18. Muhlberg. H. Complete Guide to Water Plants. E. P. Publishing Ltd. 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-7158-0789-7

    ↩

  19. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 32202/01/01

    ↩

  20. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 32202/01/01 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  21. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2

  22. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩

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