Calamus /(?)/

Cal·a·mus

Calamus

n.

pl. Calami

  1. The indian cane, a plant of the Palm family. It furnishes the common rattan. See Rattan, and Dragon's blood. (Bot.)
  2. A species of Acorus (Acorus calamus), commonly called calamus, or sweet flag. The root has a pungent, aromatic taste, and is used in medicine as a stomachic; the leaves have an aromatic odor, and were formerly used instead of rushes to strew on floors. (Bot.)
  3. The horny basal portion of a feather; the barrel or quill. (Zool.)