26 KEY AND FLORA 
leaves. Spadix projecting from the edge of the spathe, con- 
sisting of numerous bisexual flowers. Sepals 6. Stamens 6. 
Ovary 2—8-celled, with numerous ovules. Fruit 1-few-seeded. 
Fic. 6. Acorus Calamus 
A, spadix; B, a single flower, enlarged; C, diagram of flower, enlarged. 
(After Schimper) 
1. A. Calamus L. Sweet Frac. Scape with a long, leaf-like pro- 
longation (spathe) beyond the green, very closely flowered spadix. 
Along borders of brooks and swamps. 
The rootstocks furnish the well-known calamus or “sweet flag 
root” sold everywhere by druggists. 
7. COMMELINACEZ. Spiperwortr FamILy 
Herbs, with slimy or mucilaginous juice; stems somewhat 
succulent, jointed, leafy, simple or branched. Leaves simple, 
succulent, narrow, entire, sheathing at the base, sheaths entire 
