Acorus

[Gr. a, without, and kore, pupil of the eye.] ( Bot.) A genus of plants, ord. Orontiacece. The Acorus calamus, or sweet flag, a member of this genus, is the only native aromatic plant of northern climates: the root powdered might supply the place of foreign spices. It blo oms during the months of May and June. The thick creeping stem or rhizome, commonly called the root, is the valuable part of the plant; it is somewhat spongy and powerfully aromatic, and has a bitterish taste. It is used by the rectifiers to improve the flavor of gin. Perfumers make use of it in the manufacture of hair-powder, and tanners in the preparation of pecиliar sorts of leather. From the fresh rhizome a volatile oil is obtained by distillation, used in making aromatic vinegar and for scenting snuff. In Med. the sweet flag is sometimes used as an aromatic stimulant and mild tonic, and many physicians speak highly of its beneficial effects in cases of ague. It grows in the United States, in Europe and Asia. It is supposed to be the calamus of the Song of Solomon; hence its botanical name, Acorus calamus.