CALAMUS 



103 



Synopsis of drugs from the Aroidece 



A. Rhizomes. 



CALAMUS, 52. 



Symplocarpus, 53. 



B. Corms. 



Arum, 54. 



Arisaema Dracontmm, 55. 



52. CALAMUS. CALAMUS 



SWEET FLAG 



The dried rhizome of Acor'us cal'amus Linn (Fam. Araceae, U. S. P. 1900). 



DESCRIPTION OF DRUG. Grows in swamps, and along the banks of streams and 



ponds. Subcylindrical sections of various lengths, about 20 mm. (^ in.) 



FIG. 27. Acorns calamus. 



thick; externally reddish-brown, deeply wrinkled, marked below with rootlet 

 scars (little elongated dot-like rings) in wavy, longitudinal lines, above with 

 leaf-scars; fracture short, corky, showing a pinkish or whitish interior dotted 

 with yellowish or brownish dots, both in the thick cortical layer and in the 

 spongy central column; odor aromatic; taste peculiar, very bitter. Although 

 the unpeeled rhizome is directed, the pinkish-white sections deprived of the 

 corky layer are often met with in market. 



