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 j)laces ; common both here and in Europe. 



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

 Pharmacopoiia. 



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

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

 bitter principle, and common vegetable constituents. 



Drejyarations. — Extractum calami fluidum — fluid extract of Calamus. — 

 United States Pharniacopoiia. 



lledical 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 monce- 

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

 Ovaries 3 to many, distinct or jjartly 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 G. Ovaries many, in a simj)le circle on a 

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

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



A pei-ennial 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. 



