The corm of Gladiolus is oblate and the diameter is between 2.5-4.5cm. It is covered with a brown or yellowish brown film. The rhizome of Acorus calamus grows laterally, slightly flat, with a diameter of 0.5cm-1cm. It's covered with a yellow brown skin.
The leaves of Gladiolus are sword shaped, with a length of 40-60cm and a width of 2-4cm. However, the leaves of Acorus calamus are in sword shape, with wider base and narrower gradually. The length of the blade is between 90-150cm, and the width of the middle part is 1-3cm.
The inflorescence of Gladiolus is a single scorpion tail shaped cyme without pedicel. The flowers are red, yellow, white and other colors. The inflorescence of Acorus calamus is narrow and cone-shaped, and the flowers are mostly yellow and green.
