sweet flag

American  

noun

1. a plant, Acorus calamus, of the arum family, having long, sword-shaped leaves and a pungent, aromatic rootstock.

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sweet flag British  

noun

1. Also called: calamus.  an aroid marsh plant, Acorus calamus, having swordlike leaves, small greenish flowers, and aromatic roots

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Etymology

Origin of sweet flag

First recorded in 1775–85

Example Sentences

Many species — such as black mondo grass or Japanese sweet flag grass — can survive in cold weather, but they typically can’t withstand the weight of snow, according to Prinzing.

From Washington Post • Sep. 20, 2022

The lake was layered with sweet flag, sedge, lilies, horehound, bulrush and buckbean.

From New York Times • Oct. 21, 2016

Tall trees droop over the calm water, and on its margins grow spearwort, opening its big yellow cups to the sunshine, meadow rue, purple and yellow loosestrife, bog bean, and sweet flag.

From Penelope's Irish Experiences by Wiggin, Kate Douglas Smith

Water parsnip, sweet flag, cinquefoil, bat's blood, deadly nightshade, and oil.

From The Witch-cult in Western Europe A Study in Anthropology by Murray, Margaret Alice

The sweet flag wafted towards them its humble fragrance and the water plantain unrolled about them its filaments of lace on the margin of the sleeping waters which the willow-herb starred with its purple flowers.

From Honey-Bee 1911 by Lane, Mrs. John