Acorus calamus L.

 

Family – Araceae

Synonym – Calamus aromaticus Garsault 

Vernacular names – Vayambu; Vashanpa

Habit – Herb

Habitat – Semi-aquatic and marshy localities, also cultivated

Distribution – North temperate hemisphere and Tropical Asia, widely cultivated

Flowering and Fruiting – April-July

Key Identification Features – This plant is a rhizomatous herb with leafy shoots up to 1.5 mm tall. It has ensiform leaves, reddish at the base, and a conspicuous midrib. The flowers are densely arranged, yellowish green, and have oblong tepals. The fruiting structure contains oblong-obovoid berries with small seeds.

Uses - It’s traditionally believed to improve memory and cognitive function, but clinical studies are lacking due to toxicity concerns.