Golden Variegated Sweetflag

Description:

'Ogon' is a fine-bladed rush-like grass with shiny gold, green striped (12- to 18-inch by 1/8- to 1/4-inch) leaves. Evergreen in southern zones; this is a non-invasive rhizome grass. It requires consistently moist soil (suitable for bogs and water gardens). Foliage is sweetly fragrant. Numerous sedge-like spikes of tiny, densely-packed, yellow flowers appear in late spring to early summer. Flowers give way to tiny, reddish, fleshy berries. Excellent for erosion control along the banks of streams and ponds. Slow to moderate growth rate. Mature height 10 - 16 inches. Full sun, Part sun. Zones: 5-10.

Habitat:

This small plant is growing in a depression on a rock with little to no soil and constant running water. When the temperature dropped below freezing, the water splashing on the leaves encased them in ice.

Notes:

Acorus is a neutral grass. Evergreen or neutral grasses are usually plants that look like grasses but aren’t actually classified as grasses, they are generally called grass-like plants. The name 'acorus' is derived from the Greek word 'acoron', a name used by Dioscorides, which in turn was derived from 'coreon', meaning 'pupil', because it was used in herbal medicine as a treatment for inflammation of the eye. The parallel-veined leaves of some species contain ethereal oils that give a sweet scent when dried. Fine-cut leaves used to be strewn across the floor in the Middle Ages, both for the scent, and for presumed efficacy against pests.