| Classification |
| Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order Type: Basal Angiosperms-Monocots
Order: Acorales
Family: Acoraceae
Family Common Name: Sweet Flag Family
Genera: Acorus |
Defining Features: This family
has been removed from the Araceae. The bract-like abaxial tepal encloses
the young flowers.
Defining Morphology: Floral
Features: Flowers bisexual, small and pentacyclic. Tepals are 6, androecium
6, gynoecium 3. Sapthe and spadix are present. Fruit and Seed Features:
Monocotyledon. Fruit is technically a berry, though it is not that it is
dispersed as most fleshy fruits are, it is dry outside and jelly-like inside,
apparently water-dispersed, and contains 1 to 3 seeds. The seeds are 3-4
mm long and tan in color. Vegetative Features: Habit as perennial aromatic
herbs with sympodial rhizomes. Leaves fragrant, flat, simple, alternate
and sheathing. Leaf with basal meristem.
Distribution: E. North America,
E. Asia and SE Asia.
Economic Use: Plant can be
used for matting and its essential oils for use in medicine and perfumery.
Good choice for water garden.
Number of Genera Globally: 1
Number of Species Globally: 2
to 4
