Calamus

Shallow water plant that grows at the edge of the pond. It is characterized by its thick roots and sword-shaped leaves, which can grow up to one metre long. Greenish-yellow, cone-shaped flower bulbs grow on the stems.

Depending on the composition of the calamus oils, 3 different forms are distinguished. The rhizome(Calami rhizoma) is mainly used phytotherapeutically in the North American and partly also in the European breed. Due to the high ß-asarone content of up to 80%, East Asian and Indian breeds may not be used phytotherapeutically. The ß-asarone is mutagenic, chromosome-damaging and carcinogenic. North American calamus contains no ß-asarone, while European calamus contains only a low concentration (up to 13%).

Due to the proven mutagenic, carcinogenic and reprotoxic effects of asarone, the use of calamus oil and other calamus products is only permitted to a limited extent and is banned in the USA and Canada.

Kalmus species are perennial herbaceous plants. As perennial organs, these marsh plants form rhizomes. All parts of the plant are glabrous. If plant parts are damaged, they smell strongly aromatic. The basal and double-rowed, heavy leaves are unstalked. The six equally shaped, free petals are brownish.

Usually three (two to four) carpels have grown together to form an upper ovary with two to four (rarely five) ovules per ovary chamber. The brown to reddish, leathery fruits can be interpreted as capsule fruits or berries.

Acorus calmus is the parent plant of Calami rhizoma the dried calamus rootstock.

1. Wenigmann M. (2017) Phytotherapy medicinal drugs, phytopharmaceuticals, application. Urban & Fischer, pp. 136-137