SWEET FLAG 



145 



This j)lunt is local, <;ent'ra!ly, but trec]ucnt in some counties. It is 

 entirely aquatic, growing' in the water close to the margin ot a river, 

 brook, or even ditch, or else it is to be found fringing the sides oi 

 a pond, pool, or lake. It is associated with reeds, bulrushes, bur-reeds, 

 growing with them in the marginal reed swamp. 



The stem is tall, erect, with the radical leaves clustered round it, 

 and the [)lant has a grass-like habit. The leaves are long, sword- 



SwEEr Flag (Acunis Ca/amus, l. 



shaped, tlat, with wavy margins, sweet-scented when bruised, like the 

 stcMn and rhizomes. 



1 he scape is llaitened, long, leafy. The prolongation ot it is a 

 spathe which is two-edged. In the spike are several hundred flowers. 

 At its base is a long, slender spadix, which is lateral, and made up 

 of many flowers, curved. The perianth-.segments of 6 short scales 

 equal the o\ary, and the fruit is inversely egg-shaped. 



Sweet Flag is 2-6 ft. high. It llowers in June and |uly. The 

 plant is a perennial, propagated by division. 



The flowers are proterogynous, bise.xual or complete, and cross- 

 pollination is ensured. Ihere are 6 stamens, fixed on the base of the 

 segments, with flattened anther -stalks. The 6 stamens with anthers 



Vol. IV. 



56 



