calamus

Calamus is a name used for several plants and historical terms. It commonly refers to either Acorus calamus, the sweet flag, a wetland perennial native to Eurasia and parts of Africa, or Calamus, a genus of climbing palms known as rattans. The term also appears in historical writings as a reed used for writing.

Calamus (rattan) refers to a genus in the palm family Arecaceae, subfamily Calamoideae. It comprises numerous climbing species that yield long, slender canes used for rattan furniture, baskets, and other woven goods. Rattan palms grow in tropical forests, and harvesting occurs in many parts of Asia and Africa. Ongoing management and sustainability are important due to habitat loss and overexploitation in some regions.

Acorus calamus, the sweet flag, is a perennial herb of the family Acoraceae. It forms creeping rhizomes and has arching, fragrant leaves. It is native to Europe, Asia, and northern Africa and has been introduced elsewhere. Historically it has been used in traditional medicine, aromatics, and as a flavoring. Modern assessments have identified beta-asarone in its essential oil as potentially carcinogenic in animal studies, leading to regulatory restrictions on its use in foods, medicines, and cosmetics in several countries. Some preparations avoid beta-asarone or use substitutes.

Historically, calamus also denotes a reed or cane used to make writing implements, notably the reed pen used by scribes in classical and medieval times. The name derives from Latin calamus meaning “reed” or “cane.”