Feather development non-nervous. They have a tubular central shaft called the rachis; coming off either side of the rachis are the veins, which have a series of barbs with interlocking connections that are called barbules. The rachis and attached veins make up the spathe. The opposite of the rachis is the calamus, which anchors the feather to the body and is moved by attached dermal muscles. There are many different types of feathers that mostly follow this basic design with few variations based on evolutionary needs. Feathers are sometimes referred to as “elaborate reptile scales” just as birds are sometimes viewed as
Acorus calamus widely and frequently used herbal medicines among the Chipewyan people. The Potawatomi people powdered the dried root and placed this up the nose for catarrh. This plant is sometimes used as a pond plant in horticulture. There is at least one ornamental cultivar known; it is usually called 'Variegatus', but the RHS recommends calling it 'Argenteostriatus'. Both triploid and tetraploid "A. calamus" contain alpha-asarone. Other phytochemicals include: Diploids do not contain beta-asarone (β-asarone). The calamus has long been a symbol of love. The name is associated with a Greek myth: Kalamos, son of the river-god Maeander, who loved the youth