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Calamus Collection

Calamus, scientifically known as Acorus calamus, is a fascinating plant that goes by various names such as sweet flag or calamus

Background imageCalamus Collection: Purple mangosteen tree, flower, leaf and fruit, Garcinia mangostana 1, and rattan tree

Purple mangosteen tree, flower, leaf and fruit, Garcinia mangostana 1, and rattan tree, Calamus rotang
FLO4574542 Purple mangosteen tree, flower, leaf and fruit, Garcinia mangostana 1, and rattan tree, Calamus rotang, branch and leaf 2, and " dragon's blood" fruit 3

Background imageCalamus Collection: Sweet flag, Acorus calamus

Sweet flag, Acorus calamus
5856174 Sweet flag, Acorus calamus; (add.info.: Sweet flag, Acorus calamus. Chromolithograph from Carl Lindman's "Bilder ur Nordens Flora" (Pictures of Northern Flora), Stockholm

Background imageCalamus Collection: Sweet flag or calamus, Acorus calamus. Handcoloured lithograph by Hanhart after a botanical

Sweet flag or calamus, Acorus calamus. Handcoloured lithograph by Hanhart after a botanical illustration by David Blair
FLO4985666 Sweet flag or calamus, Acorus calamus. Handcoloured lithograph by Hanhart after a botanical illustration by David Blair from Robert Bentley and Henry Trimen's Medicinal Plants, London

Background imageCalamus Collection: Classical musical instruments: lyres 1,2, plectrum 3, cithara 4, lute 5

Classical musical instruments: lyres 1,2, plectrum 3, cithara 4, lute 5, percussion instruments 6,7,8,15, pan pipes 9
FLO4703350 Classical musical instruments: lyres 1,2, plectrum 3, cithara 4, lute 5, percussion instruments 6,7,8,15, pan pipes 9, rattlesnakes 11, tuba 12, flutes 10,14,18,19, triangle 16

Background imageCalamus Collection: Sweet Flag (colour litho)

Sweet Flag (colour litho)
3118174 Sweet Flag (colour litho); (add.info.: Acorus calamus Kohler's Medizinal-Pflanzen in naturgetreuen Abbildungen mit kurz erlauterndem Texte)

Background imageCalamus Collection: Sweet flag or calamus, Acorus calamus. Handcoloured copperplate engraving from Dr

Sweet flag or calamus, Acorus calamus. Handcoloured copperplate engraving from Dr
FLO4564651 Sweet flag or calamus, Acorus calamus. Handcoloured copperplate engraving from Dr. Willibald Artus' Hand-Atlas sammtlicher mediinisch-pharmaceutischer Gewachse

Background imageCalamus Collection: Acorus calamus (sweet flag or calamus)

Acorus calamus (sweet flag or calamus)
Illustration of a Acorus calamus (sweet flag or calamus)

Background imageCalamus Collection: Sweet flag, Acorus calamus

Sweet flag, Acorus calamus
5856761 Sweet flag, Acorus calamus by Sowerby, James (1757-1822); (add.info.: Long sword-shaped leaf and conical spike flower of the Sweet flag, Acorus calamus)

Background imageCalamus Collection: DDE-90039209

DDE-90039209
Bathed in sunset light the Calamus River in Loup County, Nebraska, USA Date: 22/05/2012

Background imageCalamus Collection: DDE-90039210

DDE-90039210
Bathed in sunset light the Calamus River in Loup County, Nebraska, USA Date: 22/05/2012

Background imageCalamus Collection: DDE-90039208

DDE-90039208
Brilliant sunset reflects into the Calamus River in Loup County, Nebraska, USA Date: 22/05/2012

Background imageCalamus Collection: DDE-90039206

DDE-90039206
Male prairie chickens at lek in Loup County, Nebraska, USA Date: 22/05/2012

Background imageCalamus Collection: DDE-90039207

DDE-90039207
Brilliant sunset reflects into the Calamus River in Loup County, Nebraska, USA Date: 22/05/2012

Background imageCalamus Collection: DDE-90027102

DDE-90027102
Jolthead Porgy (Calamus bajonado), Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles, Caribbean Date: 08/11/2011

Background imageCalamus Collection: Bulrush, Typha latifolia, and sweetflag, Acorus calamus

Bulrush, Typha latifolia, and sweetflag, Acorus calamus. Handcoloured woodblock engraving of a botanical illustration from Adam Lonicers Krauterbuch, or Herbal, Frankfurt, 1557

Background imageCalamus Collection: Rattan palm, Calamus discolor

Rattan palm, Calamus discolor (Calamus lindenii). Chromolithograph by P. de Pannemaeker from Jean Lindens l Illustration Horticole, Brussels, 1883

Background imageCalamus Collection: Sweet flag or cinnamon sedge, Acorus calamus

Sweet flag or cinnamon sedge, Acorus calamus. Chromolithograph after a botanical illustration from Hermann Adolph Koehlers Medicinal Plants, edited by Gustav Pabst, Koehler, Germany, 1887

Background imageCalamus Collection: Dragons blood, rattan or rotang, Daemonorops draco

Dragons blood, rattan or rotang, Daemonorops draco (Calamus draco). Chromolithograph after a botanical illustration from Hermann Adolph Koehlers Medicinal Plants, edited by Gustav Pabst, Koehler

Background imageCalamus Collection: Sweet flag, Acorus calamus

Sweet flag, Acorus calamus
Sweet flag or calamus, Acorus calamus. Handcoloured lithograph by Hanhart after a botanical illustration by David Blair from Robert Bentley and Henry Trimens Medicinal Plants, London, 1880

Background imageCalamus Collection: Sweet flag or calamus, Acorus calamus

Sweet flag or calamus, Acorus calamus. Handcoloured copperplate engraving from Dr. Willibald Artus Hand-Atlas sammtlicher mediinisch-pharmaceutischer Gewachse

Background imageCalamus Collection: Dragons blood palm, Daemonorops draco

Dragons blood palm, Daemonorops draco (Calamus draco). Handcoloured copperplate engraving from Dr. Willibald Artus Hand-Atlas sammtlicher mediinisch-pharmaceutischer Gewachse

Background imageCalamus Collection: Curtis British Entomology Plate 716

Curtis British Entomology Plate 716
Trichoptera: Molanna angustata Curtis [Plant: Acorus calamus (Sweet-flag)] Date: 1824-39

Background imageCalamus Collection: Scribes palette and a case for writing reeds, from the tomb of Tutankhamun (c

Scribes palette and a case for writing reeds, from the tomb of Tutankhamun (c
XZL149435 Scribes palette and a case for writing reeds, from the tomb of Tutankhamun (c.1370-52 BC) New Kingdom (ivory) (see also 228566) by Egyptian 18th Dynasty (c.1567-1320 BC); length

Background imageCalamus Collection: Calamus rotang, rattan palm

Calamus rotang, rattan palm

Background imageCalamus Collection: Calamus taurinus, Galapagos porgy

Calamus taurinus, Galapagos porgy
Fish labelled Chrysophrys taurina collected by Charles Darwin in the Galapagos Islands. From his Zoology of the Voyage of the Beagle

Background imageCalamus Collection: Calamus viminalis, rattan fruit

Calamus viminalis, rattan fruit
Plate 5 by Margaret Bushby Lascelles Cockburn (1829-1928). Held at the Natural History Museum, London

Background imageCalamus Collection: Hana-strobel? acornus calamus, sweet flag

Hana-strobel? acornus calamus, sweet flag. Date 187-

Background imageCalamus Collection: Ophiopogon planiscapus Nigrescens

Ophiopogon planiscapus Nigrescens
Lilyturf foliage (Ophiopogon planiscapus Nigrescens, dark green) and japanese rush (Acorus gramineus Ogon, light green) foliage

Background imageCalamus Collection: Winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis)

Winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis)
Winter aconite flowers (Eranthis hyemalis, yellow), lilyturf foliage (Ophiopogon planiscapus Nigrescens, dark green) and sweet flag foliage (Acorus gramineus, light green). Photographed in March



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Calamus, scientifically known as Acorus calamus, is a fascinating plant that goes by various names such as sweet flag or calamus. Its unique properties and historical significance make it an intriguing subject to explore. Used for centuries in traditional medicine, sweet flag has been valued for its medicinal properties. The roots of this perennial herb are often used to create herbal remedies due to their aromatic and therapeutic qualities, and is believed to have numerous health benefits, including aiding digestion and relieving respiratory issues. In ancient times, the renowned Italian naturalist Ulisse Aldrovandi documented the beauty of Acorus calamus in his illustrations. His detailed plate published in the 16th century showcases the intricate structure of this remarkable plant. Interestingly, sweet flag shares similarities with other plants like bulrush (Typha latifolia) and rattan palm (Calamus discolor). These connections highlight the diversity within nature and how different species can coexist harmoniously. One distinctive feature of Acorus calamus is its pleasant fragrance reminiscent of cinnamon. This quality has earned it another name - cinnamon sedge. The aroma adds a delightful touch when used in perfumes or potpourri blends. Beyond its practical uses, calamus holds cultural significance too. In some traditions, it is associated with purification rituals and spiritual practices. Its presence brings positive energy and promotes clarity of thought. As we delve into the world of botany, exploring plants like Acorus calamus reminds us of nature's wonders that surround us every day. From its medicinal applications to artistic depictions throughout history, this captivating herb continues to intrigue scientists and enthusiasts alike.