Family: Acoraceae

Acorus calamus (sweet flag, myrtle flag) is an aquatic perennial native to North America and Asia. It is commonly planted in water features, and has been used in traditional medicine for a long time, However, it has no clinically proven efficacy and appears to be toxic if ingested. Due to this, is commercially banned in the United States.  It is reported to be widely naturalized but is not documented to be naturalized on any Hawaiian Islands to date. This plant is versatile and can grow in many different environments, and can be spread easily through waterways by seed and fragments. It also tends to grow in dense stands that block out other vegetation. For these reasons it is not recommended to plant.

High Risk Traits:

• Grows in tropical climates
  
• Broad climate suitability
  
• Widely naturalized
  
• Regarded as a weed In many locations
  
• May be toxic if ingested
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Can from dense monocultures that exclude other vegetation
  
• Spreads vegetatively by rhizome fragments and possibly seeds
  
• Can reach maturity in 2 growing seasons
  
• Rhizome fragments and seeds dispersed along waterways

Low Risk Traits:

• Sterile forms may limit dispersal
  
• Medicinal and edible uses
  
• Herbicides may provide effective control