Flower ID: IMG_6784.JPG-06-10-2021 Flower name (scientific): Acorus americanus (Rafinesque) Rafinesque PY: 1836. The WFO treats this as a synonym of Acorus calamus var. americanus Raf. See below under similar species. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) AH-kor-us ah-mer-ih-KAY-nus Flower name (common): American Sweet Flag Family name (common): Sweet-flag Family name (scientific): Acoraceae Scientific name origin: Genus: From the Latin acoron (or acorum) for sweet or yellow flag, and taken from the Greek ἄκορον and associated with the Greek word for pupil of the eye. Plants of this genus being employed to treat eye problems. Specific epithet: Of or related to America. Common name origin: Flower description: Size: 0.08 to 0.12 inches (2 to 3 mm) Petal count: 6 tepals Color: yellow or brown Other: flower arrangement, Spadix Plant description: Size: 24 to 72 inches (61 to 183 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is basal, type is simple Size: Typically about 60 to approximately 150 cm (2 to 5 feet) long and about 1.2 cm (1/2 inch) wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, sword-like Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Uncommon Bloom time (typical): June to July Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Wet areas, ponds, marshes, shallows, lakes, river margins, sun, silty soil. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): The native Acorus americanus is similar to the introduced Acorus calamus (Sweet-flag, Calamus). To differentiate the two species: Acorus americanus has the leaf mid-vein plus 1 to 5 additional veins raised above the surface, whereas Acorus calamus has the leaf mid-vein raised above the surface but the other veins either not raised or just slightly above the surface. Acorus americanus produces mature fruit and Acorus calamus does not. Ethnobotany: A decoction of roots used by the Chippewa (Ojibwe) as a cold medicine and dried roots also used by children for toothache, and utilzed as a fishing aid (Smith, pp. 355, 428, 1932; Gilmore, pp. 124-125, 1933; Moerman, pp. 46–48, 1998). The Menoninee used the roots for irregular periods, for stomach cramps, and for a cold medicine (Smith, p. 22 1923; Moerman, pp. 46–48, 1998). A decoction of roots was used by the Potawatomi for hemorrhage issues (Smith, p. 34, 1933). The Winnebago used a decoction of the plant for fever, for colds, and for toothache (Moerman, pp. 46–48, 1998). In combination with other plants, the Meskwaki used this plant to treat burns (Smith, p. 202, 1928). Many other Native American tribes have used the plant for similar and additional uses. Moerman and Smith refer to the plant as Acorus calamus, however, tribes making use of Acorus occupied regions where the native species was most likely Acorus americanus. Latitude: 44.800040 Longitude: -91.508022 Altitude: 237.90 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Calumet, Chippewa, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Pepin, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Vilas, Waukesha, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AK, CT, DC, DE, IA, ID, IL, IN, MA, ME, MI, MN, MT, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SD, VA, VT, WA, WI) In Canada: (AB, BC, MB, NB, NF, NS, NT, ON, PE, QC, SK) References: Synonym(s): Acorus calamus var. americanus (Rafinesque) H. Wulff Basionym: Acorus calamus L. var.americanus Rafinesque. Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym: