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Sweet flag Facts

Sweet flag Facts
Sweet flag, also known as calamus, belongs to the group of monocots. There are several species of sweet flag that can be found in temperate, tropical and subtropical parts of Eurasia and North and South America. Sweet flag grows on sandy, loamy and alluvial soils, in habitats that provide enough water such as swamps and areas near the ponds, lakes and streams. Cultivation of sweet flag started 4.000 years ago in Central Asia. This plant was used as a source of food, medicine and oils in the past. Sweet flag is still widely cultivated because of its fragrant oils and in ornamental purposes.
Interesting Sweet flag Facts:
Sweet flag is herbaceous plant that can reach 6 to 7 feet in height.
Sweet flag has cylindrical rhizome that can reach 3 feet in length. Rhizome has white flesh and brownish skin on the surface.
Sweet flag has sword-shaped, long green leaves that can grow up to 5 feet in length.
Sweet flag produces numerous yellow-green flowers arranged in the form of spadix (type of inflorescence characterized by numerous flowers born on the fleshy stem).
Sweet flag blooms from May to July. Flowers contains both types of reproductive organs. They attract insects, responsible for the pollination of this plant.
Only American type of sweet flag produces fruit. Ripe fruit falls into the water where it releases seed.
Entire plant emits sweet, lemony aroma. Leaves of this plant look like leaves of iris, also known as yellow flag, hence the name "sweet flag".
Rhizome of sweet flag is important source of food for the rodents in the wild, while ducks like to eat seed.
Rhizome of sweet flag can be consumed in the form of herbal tea. Young leaves can be consumed in the form of salad. Essential oils of sweet flag are mostly used as flavoring agents of alcoholic beverages and pipe tobacco.
Powder made of dry rhizome can be used as a substitute for nutmeg, ginger and cinnamon in the human diet.
Yellow-brownish oil extracted from the rhizome of sweet flag can be used in treatment of bacterial diseases, for the elimination of intestinal parasites, to induce sedation, improve blood circulation, reduce inflammation and pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis and in treatment of cough, fever, gastrointestinal disorders and spasms. Root of sweet flag can also decrease craving for tobacco.
Sweet flag was used for the preparation of love potions in the past due to widespread belief that is has aphrodisiac properties.
Fragrant oils of sweet flag are used in the cosmetic industry for the manufacture of soaps, perfumes and scented oils.
Fragrant leaves and oils of sweet flag effectively repel ants, moths, ticks and flies (they can be used instead of conventional insecticides).
Sweet flag is perennial plant, which means that it can survive more than 2 years in the wild.


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