Calamus (Calamus)

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  1.   1.  Description
    1.   1.1  Types
    2.   1.2  Obtainment
    3.   1.3  Uses
  2.   2.  More
  3.   3.  'Souls
Common Name Calamus
Latin Name Calamus (genus)
Icon(s) Plants (general icon)
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"Corus Calamus 001"
by H. Zell (Own work)
via. Wikimedia Commons
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1.  Description

It is a flowering plant with inconspicuous flowers that are arranged on a lateral spadix (a thickened, fleshy axis) and the fertilized flowers produce berries with a jelly inside.

1.1  Types

There are two types found within 'Souls, very similar and often confused. They're essentially interchangeable, though: both the American Calamus (Acorus americanus), the native variety, and the human-cultivar Common Calamus (Acorus calamus), the invasive variety, are found.

1.2  Obtainment

It is very common. It can be found sprouting throughout 'Souls territories.

1.3  Uses

  • Smoking: The essence from the rhizome is used as a flavor for pipe tobacco.
  • Medicine: Sedative, laxative, diuretic, and carminative properties. Both roots and leaves have shown antioxidant, antimicrobial and insecticidal activities.
  • Fragrance: The scented leaves and more strongly scented rhizomes are used. It has a citrus-like spicy aromatic quality.
  • The plant was also cut for use as a sweet smelling floor covering for the packed earth floors of medieval dwellings and churches, and stacks of rushes have been used as the centrepiece of rushbearing ceremonies for many hundreds of years.

Food

  • The dried and powdered rhizome has been used as a substitute for Ginger, Cinnamon and Nutmeg.
  • Calamus was often added to wine or to flavor beer. It's also used in bitters.
  • When eaten in crystallized form, it is called "German ginger".

2.  More

3.  'Souls

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Categories: Flora | Resources