Reed Spadix

Botanical Name: Acorus Calamus
Common Names: Sweet Flag
Origin: South Eastern United States
Regions: Swamps, marshes, riverbanks
Height: 1-4 feet
Flower size: Tiny flowers on a 2-4 inches spadix
Flower color: Yellow and green
Flowering time: May to August

Reed spadix is an herbaceous, perennial, aromatic, flag liek plant, flourishing in wet situations. The leave sare long, radical and sword like, erect, bright green but reddish at the base. The stalk is triangular, giving off from one side a spadix bearing thickly crowded perfect greenish flowers. It grows in muddy places, in swamps and meadows along streams and the borders of lakes, in nearly all part of India and Central Asia.

Uses
The dried reed spadix is a carminative, slightly tonic and forms a useful adjunct to other tonics and stimulants. They have lemony scent and are used to flavor candy. They can be used as substitue for vanilla pods. They can also be stored in dry foods to prevent infestation by weevils. They are a wonderful addition to potpourris.