calamus

/ˈkæləməs/

Other forms: calami

Definitions of calamus

1. noun

   any tropical Asian palm of the genus Calamus; light tough stems are a source of rattan canes
   types:

   Calamus rotang, rattan, rattan palm

   climbing palm of Sri Lanka and southern India remarkable for the great length of the stems which are used for malacca canes

   Calamus australis, lawyer cane

   tall scrambling spiny palm of northeastern Queensland, Australia

   type of:

   palm, palm tree

   any plant of the family Palmae having an unbranched trunk crowned by large pinnate or palmate leaves
2. noun

   perennial marsh plant having swordlike leaves and aromatic roots
   synonyms: Acorus calamus, flagroot, myrtle flag, sweet calamus, sweet flag

   type of:

   bog plant, marsh plant, swamp plant

   a semiaquatic plant that grows in soft wet land; most are monocots: sedge, sphagnum, grasses, cattails, etc; possibly heath
3. noun

   the aromatic root of the sweet flag used medicinally
   type of:

   root

   (botany) the usually underground organ that lacks buds or leaves or nodes; absorbs water and mineral salts; usually it anchors the plant to the ground
4. noun

   the hollow spine of a feather
   synonyms: quill, shaft

   type of:

   rib

   a riblike supporting or strengthening part of an animal or plant