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Acorus gramineus

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

Niche
  • Soil surface
    Soil surface
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • Ground cover
    Ground cover
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsaquatic
    Aquatic
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid, neutral, alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 5
    Zone 5
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Acorus gramineus has 0 edible uses listed
Acorus gramineus has 0 material uses listed
Acorus gramineus has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

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[1]. When using the plant medicinally, the isolated essential oil should not be used[2].

Edible uses

Notes

Root - raw or cooked[3][4]. It should be peeled, finely chopped and soaked in several changes of water first[5]. A stronger and more pleasing taste than A. calamus[6][5]. The root is also used as a ginger substitute[4]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Unknown part

Condiment

Root

Unknown use

Material uses

The dried root repels insects[7]. It is probably also insecticidal[7][8].

An essential oil is obtained from the plant[8].

A useful ground cover plant, forming a spreading clump[9].

Unknown part

Essential
Insecticide
Repellent

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The root is antifungal, antibacterial, antiperiodic, antirheumatic, antispasmodic, aromatic, cardiac, carminative, diaphoretic, emmenaggue, febrifuge, sedative, stimulant, stomachic, tonic and vermifuge[10][1][11][12][13][14][2][15][7][16][17][8][18]. It is also powdered and applied to bleeding gums[16][17]. It is used internally in the treatment of digestive problems, depression and epilepsy[15][17]. The root can be harvested at any time of the year, except when the plant is in flower[17].

The root contains asarone[15]. This substance increases the hypnotic effect of barbiturates and ethanol, lowers blood pressure and is antibacterial against Staphylococcus aureus, streptococci and mycobacterium[15].

The whole plant is anodyne, antiperiodic, antispasmodic, digestive, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, sedative, stimulant, stomachic, sudorific, tonic, vermifuge[16].

Unknown part

Anodyne

Roots

Antibacterial
Antifungal
Antiperiodic
Antirheumatic
Antispasmodic
Aromatic
Cardiac
Carminative
Diaphoretic
Diuretic
Emmenagogue
Expectorant
Febrifuge
Sedative
Stimulant
Stomachic
Tonic
Vermifuge

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Soil surface

Ecological Functions

Ground cover

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

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[19]. Very easy, the plants can be divided at any time in the growing season and can be planted direct into their permanent positions[K].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Acorus gramineus. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Grows well in shallow water margins of ponds etc[19][6], though it can also succeeds in drier habitats[20]. Requires a sunny position[21]. A very ornamental plant, there are some named varieties[9][17]. The cultivar 'Pusillus' can be grown as a submerged aquatic plant[17].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Acorus gramineus. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Acorus gramineus.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Acorus gramineus
Genus
Acorus
Family
Araceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[3][4][5][6]
Medicinal uses
[10][1][11][12][13][14][2][15][7][16][17][8][18]
Material uses & Functions
[7][8][9]
Botanic
[22][21]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Ground cover
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
aquatic
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Soil surface
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.3 x 0.15
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite











    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.2 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (32202/01/01)
    2. ? 2.02.12.2 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
    3. ? 3.03.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (32202/01/01)
    4. ? 4.04.14.2 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (32202/01/01)
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (32202/01/01)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (32202/01/01)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.4 Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre ()
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.4 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)
    9. ? 9.09.19.2 Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons ISBN 0-460-12609-1 (32202/01/01)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (32202/01/01)
    11. ? 11.011.1 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (32202/01/01)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (32202/01/01)
    13. ? 13.013.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (32202/01/01)
    14. ? 14.014.1 ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X ()
    15. ? 15.015.115.215.315.4 Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles (32202/01/01)
    16. ? 16.016.116.216.3 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (32202/01/01)
    17. ? 17.017.117.217.317.417.517.6 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (32202/01/01)
    18. ? 18.018.1 Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea World Health Organisation, Manila ISBN 92 9061 120 0 (32202/01/01)
    19. ? 19.019.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (32202/01/01)
    20. ? Muhlberg. H. Complete Guide to Water Plants. E. P. Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0-7158-0789-7 (32202/01/01)
    21. ? 21.021.1 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (32202/01/01)
    22. ? Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution (32202/01/01)




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    Facts about "Acorus gramineus"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteNo +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupNo +
    Belongs to familyAraceae +
    Belongs to genusAcorus +
    Functions asGround cover +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part + and Root +
    Has edible useSeasoning + and Unknown use +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone5 +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useEssential +, Insecticide + and Repellent +
    Has mature height0.3 +
    Has mature width0.15 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part + and Roots +
    Has medicinal useAnodyne +, Antibacterial +, Antifungal +, Antiperiodic +, Antirheumatic +, Antispasmodic +, Aromatic +, Cardiac +, Carminative +, Diaphoretic +, Diuretic +, Emmenagogue +, Expectorant +, Febrifuge +, Sedative +, Stimulant +, Stomachic +, Tonic + and Vermifuge +
    Has search nameacorus gramineus + and x +
    Has seed requiring scarificationNo +
    Has seed requiring stratificationNo +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameAcorus gramineus +
    Has water requirementsaquatic +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheSoil surface +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates air pollutionNo +
    Tolerates maritime exposureNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Tolerates windNo +