Acorus americanus

American sweet flag ( Acorus americanus)

The American sweet flag ( Acorus americanus ) is a marsh plant, which is native to the United States and Canada.

Description

This perennial herbaceous plant reaches heights of growth of about 80 cm. Direct from the rhizomes arise from the bright green, sword-shaped leaves, which are like a sheath at the base of one another. Further, the sheets of two to six raised conductors and a thickened center when viewed in cross section. The foliage has a citrus -like, spicy flavor and can be used to flavor beer.

It is a flowering plant with inconspicuous flowers that ( a thickened, fleshy inflorescence axis ) are arranged on a seemingly pendant flask. The fruits of this type have a jelly-like interior. The American Kalmus is classified as endangered in Pennsylvania and is protected.

Etymology

The name " Acorus " is derived from the Greek word Akoron. Dioscorides used this. , Derived from koreon ( = pupil), because calamus has been used in herbal medicine to treat inflammation of the eye

The species name americanus simply indicates that this is an American species of the genus, which is distinguished from the very similar European and West Asian species Acorus calamus, the common Kalmus.

Taxonomy

The American Kalmus was formerly known as Acorus calamus L. var americanus Raf., Classified A. calamus americanus var ( Raf. ) H.Wulff. However, A. americanus is characterized by a diploid set of chromosomes (2n = 24 ), while A. calamus a triploid, regional variety is sterile (2n = 36 ), which spreads only asexually in Central Europe.

Use

This plant was used by Native Americans and early European settlers.

As a diploid species of the genus Acorus it does not contain asarone. Asarone is a possible precursor in the synthesis of the psychedelic phenethylamine TMA -2. This chemical is one of the reasons why derived from Kalmus products were banned as food additives in the United States.