Plural of calamus; aromatic reed plants or their roots used medicinally and in perfumery, historically used for writing implements.
From Latin 'calamus' meaning 'reed' or 'pen,' derived from Greek 'kalamos.' The word refers to several aromatic reeds and was essential to ancient writing technology.
Calamus reeds are one of humanity's oldest materials—ancient Egyptians used them as pens, indigenous peoples used them medicinally, and the root was a major spice trade commodity because it smells and tastes amazing.
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