ALISMA WATER PLANTAIN. 265 



Sepals 6, concave. Stamens 6 ; filaments linear ; anthers reniform. 

 Ovary 2- to 3-celled, each cell several-ovuled ; stigma minute. Fruit at 

 length dry, gelatinous inside, 1- to few-seeded. 



A perennial herb with thick, creeping rootstocks, from which are sent 

 up 2-edged leaves and scapes. It flowers early in summer. 



Habitat. In wet places ; common both here and in Europe. 



Part Used. The rhizome. Official name : Calamus United States 

 Pharmacopoeia. 



Constituents. Calamus has a pungent, bitterish and aromatic taste, and 

 a strong fragrant odor. It contains a small percentage of volatile oil, a 

 bitter principle, and common vegetable constituents. 



Preparations. Extractum calami fluidum fluid extract of Calamus. 

 United States Pharmacopoeia. 



Medical Properties and Uses. Calamus is an aromatic which excites a 

 sensation of warmth in the stomach, improves the appetite, and aids diges- 

 tion. It is used chiefly as an adjuvant of other more powerful remedies. 



ALISMACE/E. 



Marsh herbs with scape-like flowering stems, and perfect or monoe- 

 cious flowers. Sepals and petals 3, distinct. Stamens 6, hypogynous. 

 Ovaries 3 to many, distinct or partly so, and, if united, separating at matu- 

 rity into three 1- or 2-seeded pods or achenia. 



An order comprising two sub-orders, only one of which, Alismece, has 

 medicinal species. 



ALISMA. WATER PLANTAIN. 



Alisma plantago Linne (var. Americanum Gray). Water Plan- 

 tain. 



Description. Flowers perfect, numerous, on compound paniculate 

 scapes. Sepals 3, green, persistent. Petals 3, involute in the bud, white, 

 deciduous. Stamens commonly 6. Ovaries many, in a simple circle on a 

 flattened receptacle, forming obliquely-ovate, coriaceous achenia, which are 

 dilated, and 2- to 3 -keeled on the back. 



A perennial herb. Leaves ovate, oblong or lanceolate, pointed, mostly 

 rounded or cordate at the base, 3- to 9-nerved, on long petioles. 



Habitat. In shallow water ; common. 



Parts Used. The root and leaves. Not official. 



Constituents. Unknown. 



Preparations. It has been employed in infusion. 



Medical Properties and Uses. Little can be said on this subject. It 

 has been employed with asserted benefit in hydrophobia, and for diuretic 

 effect in nephritic and calculous affections. 



