Subclass Arecidae ( Arecidae )
Order Arales ( Arales )
Family Acoraceae ( Acoraceae )
Genus Acorus — Acorus.
Widely distributed in shallow waters of East Asia, where there are many different forms of the plant. Leaves are ribbon-like, pointed, stiff, located symmetrically on the sides of the stem. The plant grows rather slowly. Also kept: — Acorus calamus – a powerful marsh plant with a creeping, heavily branched rhizome. Leaves opposite, ensiform, linear, pointed, 50-100 cm long and 1-3 cm wide. Not suitable for keeping in aquariums; — Acorus gramineus albolineatus – White-striped sweet flag. 25-50 cm with leaf width up to 1 cm. Differs by a contrasting white border of the ribbon-like leaves;
— Acorus gramineus decoratus – Decorated sweet flag. 35 cm. A variety of grass-leaf sweet flag distinguished by decorative qualities. Leaf coloration can be silvery-white or golden-yellow. pH 5.5-7.5; — Acorus gramineus giganteus – Giant sweet flag. Differs in large sizes, reaching half a meter in height. Tolerates temperature fluctuations well; — Acorus gramineus variegatus. Plant for terrariums, sometimes used in aquariums; — Acorus pusillus – Small sweet flag. Height up to 20 cm. This is a heat-loving plant recommended for foreground planting in moderately warm and tropical aquariums.
Grassy sweet flag, Japanese rush — Acorus gramineus.
«1» Synonyms: Acorus calamus, humilis, tatarinowii, var. pusillus (siebold). East Asia, Indochina, Japan. The plant is very variable, and many varieties are distinguished within the species. A plant for terrariums, sometimes used in aquariums. Can be used as a decorative plant for a short time (several months), as the aquarium balance may be disturbed. Height 30-40 cm. Width 5 cm. Herbaceous, stiff, non-bending, bright green plant. Leaves linear, up to 30 cm long, elongated-pointed, stiff, dark green.
Variegated forms with white or pale yellow longitudinal stripes exist. Its leaves, striving upwards from the root, are arranged in the form of a paddle. For breeding in aquariums, var. pusillus reaching up to 10 cm in length is best suited. However, plants usually die after a few months.
«2» Temperature 15-24°C. At too high temperatures, its growth deteriorates. Water hardness – soft to hard dH 4-18°, pH 6-8. Lighting – strong to very strong.
«4» A plant with a creeping, heavily branched rhizome up to 1 cm thick, recommended to be fixed with pins. Use unwashed sand with small additions of clay and gravel for the substrate.
«5» Grown in cold-water aquariums or aquariums with moderately warm water. Low-growing forms with leaves adorned with pale yellow stripes can be kept in tropical aquariums. When kept underwater, it grows very slowly. Planted in the middle and background. Keeping conditions are difficult. Slow-growing, light-requiring. Plants usually die after a few months. These colored forms are often used for decorative decoration of paludariums, but they also do not tolerate prolonged stay underwater. Not eaten by herbivorous fishes. Propagation by daughter plants.
Sagittaria graminea, Sagittaria platyphylla, Sagitaria subulata.
Staurogyne repens, Staurogyne sp. “Bihar”. 
Latest changes and additions were made on December 4, 2012.
