ACORACEAE PLANTS, POTENTIAL ORNAMENTALS

Abstract

Plants in Acoraceae are not only important traditional herbal medicines, but also beautiful ornamentals. In China, the history of Acoraceae used as ornamental can be tracked back to 2100 years ago. Initially, Acoraceae was a courtyard ornamental. Until Tang and Song dynasties（A.D.618-1279）, it was grown as an indoor ornamental such as potted plant. There are 3 species in the Acoraceae according to Flora Republicae Popularis Sinicae . Acorus calamus is widely distributed in the ponds and wetlands as an uncultivated or cultivated ornamental. Acorus tatarinowii and Acorus gramineus are widely used for indoor ornamental purposes. Acoraceae plants are perennial and evergreen, with aromatic leaves and rhizomes. Because of their unique biological characteristics, they are regarded as symbolic and holy plants which have been endowed with the exorcism roles in traditional Chinese culture. They are also praised as elegant ornamental plants symbolized the moral integrity of indifferent to fame and wealth and resist severe coldness. With strong viability and resistance to stress, Acoraceae can be transplanted at any time and grown easily in adequate humid and shady environments. Acoraceae plants have the functions of relieving eutrophication and purifying environment by absorbing the formaldehyde, benzene and other indoor decorating pollution. Therefore it is very suitable to grow Acoraceae plants as ornamentals. According to their horticultural characters and cultural values, we strongly recommend Acorus tatarinowii and Acorus gramineus being popularized as indoor ornamentals, and A. calamus can be cultivated as a courtyard ornamental plant. In this paper, based on literature studies and field investigations, their horticultural characters and cultural values were presented and analyzed. A proposal for their effective development strategy was also suggested.