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
Question
Roberta Nanni –
Would calamus grow on the Big Island of Hawaii on the dry side?
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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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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 –
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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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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Dinie –
Would this do ok not in water? Or is it more like American lotus and really needs to be in water?
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Richo Cech –
Hi Dinie,
Calamus works fine in wet soil. It doesn’t have to be submerged.
Richo
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Betty Jean (verified owner) –
Hi Richo,
We have a creek through our new place. The banks are bare, the area looks trampled and yuck. I’m wondering if we can plant these seeds straight away into the banks soil? It’s always damp and occasionally under water for a day or two. Zone 7.
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Richo Cech –
Hi Betty Jean, i agree about getting calamus going in that kind of environment, and believe it will help. i think direct planting seeds in that situation, given seed numbers and long germ times, is a long shot. here’s a link to the plants, they will take root and make bigger clumps as time goes on https://strictlymedicinalseeds.com/product/calamus-acorus-calamus-var-americanus-potted-plant-organic/
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