Lake Shoreline Erosion Control and Habitat Enhancement

Acorus calamus - Sweet Flag
	Family: The taxonomic plant family to which this plant belongs. Acoraceae	Growth Form: Tree/shrub Forb - non-woody flowering plant that is not a grass Herb - a plant whose stem does not produce woody, persistent tissue and generally dies back at the end of each growing season Graminoid - grasses and grass-like plants, such as sedges Forb/Herb
	Hydro Zone: The plant's preferred soil moisture zone relative to the lake's "NWL" (normal water level). For example: if a plant's hydro zone is shown as "NWL to +12," that plant can be planted in the zone beginning at the lake's normal water level and extending up to 12 inches (vertically) above the normal water level. Another example: "-3" to +6" would mean that plant prefers to be in water no more than three inches deep, and no higher than 6 inches (vertically) above the normal water level. -12” to +6”	NWC: The plant's classification as reported in Plants of the Chicago Region according to the National Wetland Category classification system. OBL (Obligate Wetland): Occurs almost always in wetlands under natural conditions FACW (Faculative Wetland): Usually occurs in wetlands, but occasionally found in non-wetlands FAC (Faculative Wetland): Equally likely to be occur in wetlands or non-wetlands FACU (Faculative Upland): Occasionally occurs in wetlands, but usually occurs in non-wetlands UPL (Upland): Occurs almost never in wetlands under natural conditions OBL
	C-value: The plant's "Coefficient of Conservatism" as determined by Floyd Swink and Gerould Wilhelm in Plants of the Chicago Region. The number, on a scale from 0 to 10, represents an estimated probability that a plant species is likely to occur in a landscape relatively unaltered from what is believed to be a pre-settlement condition. A C value of 0 indicates the probability is almost 0, while a C value of 10 indicates the plant is almost certain to be found only in an undegraded natural community. 7	Max Height: The approximate maximum height of the plant growing in the Chicago region. 3’ to 6’
	Hardiness Zones: Established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the United States and Canada comprise 11 plant Hardiness Zones, based on average to low temperatures in winter. A plant's hardiness is the range of zones in which it will grow most successfully. Northeastern Illinois falls into Zones 5a and 5b. Click here for a more detailed discussion. 4 – 8	Light: The plant's light preference (e.g., full sun, light shade, part shade, shade, etc.) Sun – part shade
	Bloom: The approximate bloom period for this plant in the Chicago region, derived primarily from Swink and Wilhelm's Plants of the Chicago Region. 25 May – 30 June	Collect Seed: The timeframe when the plant's seeds are usually ready for harvest in the Chicago region. Summer

	Similar Species: Typha spp. (cattail), Sparganeum eurycarpum

	Distinguishing Characteristics: Leaves of Acorus have one wavy margin and an off-center midrib (see photo). Also, all portions of the plant release a sweet, spicy scent when crushed.

	Early Growth	Mid Growth
	Full Growth	Flower
	Seed	Distinguishing Characteristic