Eastern Illinois University The Keep Masters Theses Student Theses & Publications 1989 The thnobE otany of Sweet Flag, Acorus calamus L. Timothy J. Motley Eastern Illinois University This research is a product of the graduate program in Botany at Eastern Illinois University. Find out more about the program. Recommended Citation Motley, Timothy J., "The thnoE botany of Sweet Flag, Acorus calamus L." (1989). Masters Theses. 2337. https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/2337 This is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Theses & Publications at The Keep. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters Theses by an authorized administrator of The Keep. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THESIS REPRODUCTION CERTIFICATE TO: Graduate Degree Candidates who have written formal theses. SUBJECT: Permission to reproduce theses. The University Library is receiving a number of requests from other institutions asking permission to reproduce dissertations for inclusion in their library holdings. Although no copyright laws a _re involved, we feel that professional courtesy demands that permission be obtained from the author before we allow theses to be copied. Please sign one of the following statements: Booth Library of Eastern Illinois University has my permission to lend my thesis to a reputable college or university for the purpose of copying it for inclusion in that institution• s library or research holdings. , /'7 / Date Author I respectfully request Booth Library of Eastern Illinois University not allow my thesis be reproduced because -------------- Date Author m THE ETHNOBOTANY OF SWEET FLAG ACORUS CALAMUS L. (TITLE) BY Timothy J . Motley THESIS SUBMITIED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF Master of Science IN THE GRADUATE SCHOOL, EASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY CHARLESTON, ILLINOIS 1989 YEAR I HEREBY RECOMMEND THIS THESIS BE ACCEPTED AS FULFILLING THIS PART OF THE GRADUATE DEGREE CITED ABOVE s 11'.:J /'n DATE ADVISER DATE ~EPARTMENT HEAD THE ETHNOBOTANY OF SWEET FLAG, ACORUS CALAMUS L. BY TIMOTHY J . MOTLEY B.S. in Botany, Eastern Illinois University ABSTRACT OF THESIS submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Science in Botany at the Graduate School of Eastern Illinois University Charleston, Illinois 1989 ABSTRACT One of the more interesting and attractive components of aquatic ecosystems is sweet flag, Acorus calamus L., a herbaceous perennial belonging to the Araceae, a primarily tropical family. Sweet flag is one of the few extratropical members. The primary purpose of this work is to present a compilation of the various traditional and contemporary uses of sweet flag by various cultures. Information regarding the known ethnobotanical and economic uses of the rhizome and aromatic essential oil as a flavoring agent is given, as well as its medicinal uses and value as an insecticide. In addition, a discussion of the nomenclature, history, and folklore of Acorus calamus is included. A discussion of the morphology of this unique plant is supplemented by drawings and color photo- graphs illustrating the features discussed. The chemical composition and experimental data sections relate to the connnercial importance and potential for future use of sweet flag. Concluding statements suggest the need for further research on the medicinal and insecticidal aspects of the alkaloids and oils. Several of the compounds isolated are similar to the derivatives of another important medicinal plant, the opium poppy. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Thanks to all those who have helped me along the way. First I would like to thank my parents Roy and Joan and my brothers Gavin and Jeremy for all their advice and support. My thanks also goes out to Dr. Charles B. Arzeni for his advisement, friendship, and for helping me to open my eyes to new horizons in the field of Botany and life. Sincere thanks goes to Dr. John Ebinger, Dr. Andrew Methven, and Dr. Wesley Whiteside for their guidance and the many things they have taught me. Once again I give thanks to my artistic brother Jeremy for the help he gave me on the ink illustrations included in this thesis. I would also like to thank, for their help in translating three articles in the German language, Bettina and Andrea Krugler. Last of all, but not least, a special thanks to Kimberly McCord for her love, help, and moral support which helped me through this difficult time of my life and made it seem much easier. Finally I would like to thank God for giving me the ability needed for my endeavors. i CONTENTS Acknowledgments ••••• • • . .. ......... ..... .. ... ....... i List of illustrations . ........ ..... ... .. .. ... iii Methods and materials • •••• • . •• . • . ... ••. • •.•.• .• .• ••• . •.•. ••• . 1 Introduction .2 Nomenclature .3 Classification .5 History and folklore .• .•... • • ... • •....•. .. .. • ... ••.• • ...•. • . • •. 7 Morphology .15 Anatomy • • 22 Ethnobotany: China •. •••• . ••• .•. •••• . •. •.•• . .•. • ..•• •• • . • .•• • • .•.• .• •. •. •• • 2 4 India, Pakistan, and Ceylon • •• • 25 Tibet •••• 27 United States ............ .......... .... •.................. 27 American Indians •• . •• • • • 2 9 Russia . • ..... 31 Istanbul . ... ••. 31 Lithuania .. .• .. .. ...• ......... .. ..... ...... .. 31 South Africa ••. • . •• • •• . • • •• . •• •• • •• • .• •• .• •• •• 3 2 Yugoslavia .• . • .•• •• . ••• • • .••.• •• . •• ••...•. • • • 3 2 Sweden • • • . •• • • • ••• • • • • • • •••••.••••••••• •• •• 3 2 Turkey •••••••••• . ••• . •••••• • ••••• • ••• • •• 3 2 Europe •• • •••••• • ••• • •• • • ••• •••• • ••••••••• ••••• ••••••• • • • ••••• 3 2 France •••••••••••••••••••••••••• • • • ••••••• • ••••••••••• • ••• • •• 3 3 Germany . • ••..•.• • .••..••••.•. • .•.•.. • •• .••. • .•.••••••. 3 3 England . •.•••• •• . • •• .• . •. • . • .• •• •• ••••.•• . ••••.•.• • ••• 3 3 Hol land . • . • •. ••••..•. .• .. .........• • • ..•.....••.• . •. • . 33 Arabic cultures .34 The Isle of Man .34 Indonesia .34 Java . ... ..... ....... ............•.... 34 Philippines . .. 34 Thailannd .... •.• . 34 New Guinea . ....... 34 Brazil ••• •• • •• •• •• . .•. • ..•.• 35 Argentina ••• • •• •• • . ......... 35 Recipes and preparation . • ......•. 36 Chemical const i t uent s . .. .. .. ............... • . ......•.. 41 Review of experimental data ...•..••• • .....•... • .•. •.•..•.. • • • .• • • 43 Conclusion . • • . • . .• . .• . .• •• ••• . • . • .. •. •• .• • • • . • • ••• •• 5 2 Literature cited • •••••••••••• • ••••••••••••••• • •••• • •••• •• •••••• • •• 53 i i ILLUSTRATIONS Figure 1. Sweet flag in aquatic habitat • • • •• •• •• ••• • •• • ••• ••••••• 16 Figure 2. Sweet flag in semi- aquatic habitat • ••• • • •• • •• • •••• • • •• • 16 Figure 3. Sweet flag plant specimen • •• • • ••••••••••••••• • •• • • •••• • 17 Figure 4. Rhizome ..•....... • .•. ..•.•. • ...• . .. .. ..... .. 18 Figure 5. Peeled and prepared rhizome •• •••• • •• • • ••• • • • • • ••••• • ••• 18 Figure 6. Inflorescence ........ ....... .. .... .. ... .... 20 Figure 7A Single flower, dorsal view •••• . • • •• • • •• • • • • • • •••••••••• 21 Figure 7B Single flower, lateral view • •••••• • ••••••• • • • •• • • •• •• • • 21 Figur e 7C Single stamen and sepal • ••••••••••••••••• • • •• • • •• • •• • •• 21 Figure 7D Ovacy ••• • • • ••• • • ••••• •••••••• • ••••••• • ••• • •• • • • •••••• • • 21 iii MATERIALS AND METHODS General research procedures for this study involved a lengthy literature review and compilation of the known ethnobotanical information regarding sweet flag. In addition, information was obtained from interviews with people who have been exposed to the use of sweet flag. Furthermore, fresh material was obtained from Illinois for morphological, anatomical, and photographic study. This illustrated treatment supplements the ethnobotanical comments and focuses on the morphological aspects of the plant. 1 INTRODUCTION Sweet Flag, Acorus calamus L., represents one of the uncommon, but widespread, herbaceous, semi-aquatic components of aquatic habitats in the temperate to subtemperate areas of the world. It grows along the edge of ponds, in lake shallows, and river floodplains. In the Old World, Sweet Flag occurs in all the European countries, except Spain. It is also found in southern Russia, northern Asia Minor, southern Siberia, China, Japan, Burma, Ceylon, and India. In the New World it occurs in southern Canada and the contiguous 48 states of the United States. Sweet flag a member of the Araceae, has a rich in history dating back to early Greek and Roman medicine and was included in many of the early herbals. The plant is thought to be indigenous to India and was spread by way of trade and conunerce. It was later cultivated by vegetative propagation using it's creeping rootstock or rhizome (Grieve 1971). The rhizomes were also utilized extensively by the Chinese, Indians, American Indians, as well as many other cultures past and present. Sweet flag has been the subject of superstition and poetry. The candied rhizome is a European and early American confection. The fragrant oils obtained from the rhizome are used medicinally, to flavor alcoholic beverages, as a fragrant essence in perfumes and sacred oils, and for its insecticidal properties. The fragrant leaves, smelling of tangerine or citrus, were used on the floors of homes and churches to remove disagreeable odors and deter pests. More work has been initiated on the chemical compounds found in the rhizome to determine their uses as medicinal, antibacterial and antifungal agents. 2 NOMENCLATURE Folknames of