Acorus calamus (also called
sweet flag or
calamus, among many common names) is a tall
perennial wetland monocot of the
Acoraceae family, in the genus
Acorus. In spite of common names that include the words "
rush" and "
sedge," it is neither a rush nor sedge. The scented leaves and more strongly scented
rhizomes have traditionally been used medicinally and to make fragrances, and the dried and powdered rhizome has been used as a substitute for ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg.