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Acorus gramineus 'Pusillus' (Dwarf Sweet Flag) - A small evergreen, grass-like perennial growing typically 2 to 3 inches tall, but perhaps a bit taller with rich soil and regular irrigation. Though rhizomatous, its spreads very slowly and can be considered as having more of a clumping habit.
Plant in full coastal sun to light shade and irrigate regularly or keep in shallow water - leaf tips dry if not given enough water. Hardy to USDA Zone 5 (-10°F). An excellent plant for between steppingstones because of its low stature and can also be used along ponds edges or areas that remain moist or as a small plant in containers around bonsai or taller plants.
The species Acorus gramineus, commonly called grassy-leaved sweet flag, is native to wetland areas of China, Japan, Korea, India, Thailand, Myanmar and the Philippines. The cultivar 'Pusillus', sometimes considered a natural variety (as var. pussilus), is a dwarf form that originated in Japan and is not known to flower. It is also called Dwarf Japanese Rush. The name for the genus was one that Theophrastus, the Greek considered to be the "father of botany", used for a plant with an aromatic rhizome. The specific epithet comes from the Latin word meaning "grass" and the etymology of the cultivar name, originating from the Latin word 'pusus' means very small.
The genus Acorus is considered to be one of the most primitive of the monocots still in existence. Historically it was recognized as an aberrant genus within the arum family (Araceae), which includes such plants as calla lily and Taro, but much evidence, including the absence of a spathe common to aroids, supports its treatment as a separate family and it is now placed in its own family, the Acoraceae. We grew this useful small plant from 1997 until 2019.
This information about Acorus gramineus 'Pusillus' displayed on this web page is based on research we have conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations we have made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how our crops have performed in containers in the nursery field. Where appropriate, we will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant.
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