Calamus (Acorus calamus var. americanus), packet of 100 seeds

$4.95

Family:  Arum (Araceae)
Hardy to Zones 3 to 12
(Sweet Flag, Rights What’s Wrong Herb, Acorus americanus, Acorus calamus var. americanus) Perennial monocot–a water plant.  Our cultivar is a low beta asarone strain originally from the northern prairie states.  This plant was widely disseminated and naturalized into many new environs by the Native Americans, who made great use of it as  in basketry.  Traditional usage (Native American, TWM, Ayurveda): bitter and aromatic digestive, against tobacco or drug addiction, to sharpen the mind, a low-dose botanical.  After chewing a bit of calamus, water never tasted better. Plant prefers full sun to part shade and grows in or near water and sometimes grows in mucky ground that is not inundated.  We like to use calamus between ponds in waterways, as it filters and cleanses the water that runs through it.  Can be used similarly in greywater treatment areas.  Sow in pots in shade house, greenhouse, or in cold frame.   Seedlings develop into delightful little flat-leaved monocots.  Grow out in pots for a year, then transplant to water’s edge.
100 seeds/pkt., Open Pollinated, Untreated, NO GMO’s

In stock

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  1. Richo Cech

    Richo Cech

    generally herbalists use the rhizome, which is about finger-thick, and not the spreading roots or the monocotyledonous plant itself. they use it fresh or dried.

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  2. Question

    omshivani

    Hi Richo, I am really anting to grow some Calamus, however i dont live near a water source like you described. If I were to “make” one.. how deep a vessel would I need? How would you recommend i go about that ? Thank you very much.

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hello Omshivani, thank you for writing. There’s a design for a backyard bog on page 216 of “Growing at-risk.”Such a feature can be a couple of feet deep or less. Beyond that, actually, you can just grow Calamus in the garden. Choose a low spot and irrigate frequently. We did this at Herb Pharm quite successfully. richo

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  3. Question

    Roberta Nanni

    Would calamus grow on the Big Island of Hawaii on the dry side?

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Calamus grows in very moist earth or shallow water. It doesn’t require a winter dormancy and will grow in HI.

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    • Thamara Mclaughlin

      What are the medicinals use of Calamus?

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hello Thamara, Thanks for writing! If you click on the photo you’ll get the monograph that lists traditional uses. In this case (pasted from website at strictly medicinal seeds) Traditional usage (Native American, TWM, Ayurveda): bitter and aromatic digestive, against tobacco or drug addiction, to sharpen the mind, a low-dose botanical. After chewing a bit of calamus, water never tasted better.
      For further info, we recommend pages 138 to 139 of “Making Plant Medicine” and page 187 of “Growing Plant Medicine Vol 1.” All the best, richo

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  4. Question

    Mildred badger

    I got these seeds from you in 2014… and now i have so much calamus growing! I am looking for recipes…. or just some food guidance for making and using a calamus tincture or calamus nased amaro liqueur.

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      hi mildred, really pleased to hear that the calamus is doing well for you–all is going according to plan! check pages 138 to 139 of “making plant medicine,” the recipes are there. richo

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  5. 4 out of 4 people found this helpful
    Richo Cech

    Admin Richo Cech

    Calamus seed planted in April germinated in June. Specifically, this was a 96 day induction period in warm soils.  Seed really prefers a warm/cold/warm stratification for best germination. 

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