As it turns out, cattails (Typha latifolia) are one of the most versatile plants you’ll find and are one of the top 20 wild edible plants in North America. [7] It is found at elevations from sea level to 7,500 feet (2,300 m). It is a marginal aquatic perennial that spreads by … Description: 1.2-2.4 meter (4-8 ft) tall perennial stalk. The rhizomes are edible after cooking and removing the skin, while peeled stems and leaf bases can be eaten raw, or cooked. Typha latifolia, called common cattail, is native to marshes, swamps and wetlands in North America, Europe and Asia.It is the common cattail found throughout the State of Missouri. It’s the Wal-Mart of the swamp – providing food, medicine, building material, and fire starter. When the flowers have matured, the pollen from the male flower part (the top part) is edible and can be used as flour. It consists of many tender filaments with layers of a farinaceous substance between. nutrition, medicinal values, recipes, historical information, harvesting tips, etc.) The young flower spikes, young shoots, and sprouts at the end of the rootstocks are edible as well. It smells and tastes somewhat like cucumber. cattail. Though flowers and shoots are edible for humans, Cattail may be poisonous to grazing animals. Several parts of the plant are edible. the variety in New Brunswick is Common cattail (Typha latifolia). The rhizomes, fleshy roots, are also edible when cooked and are available even in winter, if one is able to dig them up. They can be found in some marshy areas in such proliferation it’s no wonder that ancient man discovered that the cattail plant is edible. Cattail is a native food with edible roots, shoots, immature flower heads, pollen, and seed! Cattail roots are very productive, and can produce more edible starch (flour) than potatoes, yams, rice or taro. Many parts of these tall, reedy plants can be ingested. Family: Typhaceae. We’re talking, of course, about Typha latifolia… The species generally grows in flooded areas where the water depth does not exceed 1 meters (3 feet). Typha angustifolia is very similar to Typha latifolia, but is of narrower stature. Male flowers form a spike generally 1 inch above the female flowers and will drop off the stem once pollen is released Broad-leaved Cattail (Typha latifolia): 1. Common Cattail- Heads. Edible Parts of Cattails [13], Cross section of plant's pseudostem, formed of overlapping leaf bases, Species of flowering plant in the family Typhaceae, "Typha latifolia, U.S. Forest Service Fire Effects Information Database", "Typha latifolia (Typhaceae) Species description or overview", YouTube - Wild Living with Sunny: episode 4, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Typha_latifolia&oldid=980548356, Plants used in traditional Native American medicine, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia articles needing clarification from January 2019, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 27 September 2020, at 04:06. It is in flower from June to July. Parts of the plant are edible if picked at the appropriate time. Typha angustifolia is a PERENNIAL growing to 3 m (9ft) by 3 m (9ft). They can be peeled and eaten raw or coo… One is Typha latifolia (TYE-fuh lat-ih-FOH-lee-uh) the other Typha angustifolia (an-gus-tee-FOH-lee-uh. [10] However, it has also been reported growing in floating mats in slightly deeper water. Traditionally, Typha latifolia has been a part of certain indigenous cultures of British Columbia, as a source of food, medicine, and for other uses. Often grows near water in thick stands. The common cattail (Typha latifolia ) and the southern cattail (Typha domingensis) are the two resident species. When the flowers have matured, the pollen from the male flower part (the top part) is edible and can be used as flour. [9] The species can displace other species native to salt marshes upon reduction in salinity. Specimens with a very bitter or spicy taste should not be eaten. Cattails, Typha latifolia, is a grass from the Gramineae family chiefly herbaceous but some woody plants including bamboo; reeds, tules, bulrushes, sugar cane and cereals like wheat, oat, barley, rice, & rye. [5] In Canada, broadleaf cattail occurs in all provinces and also in the Yukon and Northwest Territories, and in the United States, it is native to all states except Hawaii. Traditionally, Typha latifolia has been a part of certain indigenous cultures of British Columbia, as a source of food, medicine, and for other uses. Difference here is that every part of the cattail, not just the seeds heads, is usable. Female flowers form a spike 4 to 6 inches long and 1 to 2 inch… The roots can also be dried and ground into a powder, this powder is rich in protein and can be mixed with wheat flour and then used for … From roots to the sausage-like growth, called an inflorescence, at its top, the common cattail plant, often seen ringing ponds and in wetllands, is packed with protein and other nutrients. Thanks for mentioning it, I’ll publish this comment, but I will also edit the steps to reflect your suggestions. To support our efforts please browse our store (books with medicinal info, etc.). In spring, the inner, soft parts of the young stem are edible, raw or cooked. It works well when added with wheat flower. The rhizomes are edible after cooking and removing the skin, while peeled stems and leaf bases can be eaten raw, or cooked. The tender, young stems on cattails can be eaten raw or boiled, and they taste like corn. [8] It has been reported in Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines.[5]. It is closely related to the Typha angustifolia. They can be boiled and eaten like potatoes or macerated and then boiled to yield a sweet syrup. [12], While Typha latifolia grows all over,[clarification needed] including in rural areas, it is not advisable to eat specimens deriving from polluted water as it absorbs pollutants and in fact is used as a bioremediator. In spring, the inner, soft parts of the young stem are edible, raw or Wow! It works well when added with wheat flower. The starchy rootstalks were ground into meal by Native Americans. fluff from the brown-cylinder can be burned to separate and parch the seeds, which are edible. The plant is 1.5 to 3 metres (5 to 10 feet) high and it has 2–4 cm (¾ to 1½ inch) broad leaves, and will generally grow out in to 0.75 to 1 metre (2 to 3 feet) of water depth. It is closely related to Typha angustifolia. No more specific details have been given - below are the edible uses of the closely related Typha latifolia, which should, in the main, also apply here:-The plant produces large amounts of biomass, comparable to the most productive agricultural crops )Typha is from Greek and means “marsh” — now you how “typhoid” got its name and Typhoid Mary.Latifolia mean wide leaf, angustifolia means skinny leaf. These plants grow readily along marshy areas near lakes, rivers, ditches and streams. There are dozens of species found growing in the Northern Hemisphere and Australia with the largest and most common being Typha latifolia. Shih J G, Finkelstein S A, 2008. Whether you’re a seasoned forager or just curious to see how to prepare a cattail for eating, read on! Typha latifolia shares its range with other related species, and hybridizes with Typha angustifolia, narrow-leaf cattail, to form Typha × glauca (Typha angustifolia × T. latifolia), white cattail. Typha latifolia, commonly known as cattail or broadleaf cattail, found all over the world in wet areas. Roots are often dried and ground into flour, but can also be peeled and cooked as a root vegetable - although the taste is rather bland and fibrous. The rhizomes can be eaten raw, baked, roasted, or broiled. Typha latifolia (Broadleaf cattail), with St. John’s wort (Hypericum scouleri). Two species of cattails are common in North America today. Typha latifolia is an important wild food source; however, caution should be used in selecting plants for harvest from pollution-free areas, as this genus is known to absorb large quantities of toxins where they exist in surrounding water, and may have even been planted in an effort at bioremediation of a toxic spill, such as at the site of a decomposing gas or oil tank. Gallery botanic View photos of the edible plant Typha latifolia (Broadleaf cattail), profiled in the Wild Edible Series: Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Sonoran, Southern California, Texas, and Utah. Ranges for these two plants overlap and they sometimes hybridize ( Typha x glauca has characteristics of both parents) making it sometimes very difficult to identify a specimen plant in the wild. The raw young shoots taste like cucumber and can also be made into pickles. The cattail flowers can be roasted, and the lower parts of the leaves can be used in salads. Young shoots are picked at 4 to 16 inches long and can be eaten raw, cooked or pickled. Noteworthy Characteristics. For more in-depth information (e.g. In fact, there is so much information about cattails and their uses that I could probably write an entire book on the subject, but… I won’t. common cattail. Cattails (Typha latifolia) are usually found at the edge of a pond, in marshes or stream beds. Ethnobotanic: All parts of the cattail are edible when gathered at the appropriate stage of growth. Stalks are topped with hotdog-shaped, dark brown flowers. More About Typha latifolia 'Variegata' Clumping spreading stands of sword-like leaves have creamy-white centre stripes Central flower stalks are equal to the height of … look for cattails growing on the shores of lakes and ponds, in flooded areas and in ditches. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. It contains 80% starch and 6-8% protein - a high energy food. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Typha latifolia. please check out our Cattail PDF magazine. Pale green, sword-like leaves 1/2 to 3/4 inch wide 2. It is found as a native plant species in North and South America, Europe, Eurasia, and Africa. Not only is it a four-season edible and a decent medicinal plant, it’s one of the few plants that can truly secure all four of your survival priorities. look for cattails growing on the shores of lakes and ponds, in flooded areas and in ditches. The pollen can be used as flour. Take your favorite fandoms with you and never miss a beat. This plant can be weedy or invasive according to the authoritative sources noted below.This plant may be known by one or more common names in different places, and some are listed above. the variety in Ontario is Common cattail (Typha latifolia). Typha latifolia is a very invasive plant spreading freely at the roots when in a suitable site. Typha latifolia has been found in a variety of climates, including tropical, subtropical, southern and northern temperate, humid coastal, and dry continental. broadleaf cattail. Simply peel back the tough outer skin after scoring it with the thumbnail. Typha latifolia (common cattails) are among the most common of all aquatic plants. [11][12] The starchy rootstalks were ground into meal by Native Americans. [7] T. latifolia grows mostly in fresh water but also occurs in slightly brackish marshes. Typha latifolia Cattail Qty $ 2.85 /packet ... Cattails are a very important food for wildlife and are supposedly quite edible and tasty for humans, too (Euell Gibbons devotes a whole chapter to Cattails in his book, "Stalking the Wild Asparagus."). [6][7] It is an introduced and invasive species, and is considered a noxious weed, in Australia and Hawaii. The entire cattail plant (Typha latifolia) is edible at some point in the year. beta-Carotene 0% 1 μg 0% 6 μg Thiamine 2% 0.023 mg Ribo… Common cattails (Typha latifolia) prefer to grow along shallow parts of the water whereas Typha angustifolia prefer deeper sections, but you’ll often find them growing together and they’re both equally edible. As the plant gets close to flowering, the young, green flower spike is edible. Female flowers form a spike 4 to 8 inches long and 1/2 to 1 inch wide that turns brown and fuzzy in the fall and looks like a hotdog on a stick 3. As the plant gets close to flowering, the young, green flower spike is edible. Typha latifolia also known as Cattail, Lesser Bulrush, Lesser Reed-Mace, Nail- Rod, Narrow-Leaf Cattail, Narrow leaf Cattail, Reed-Mace, Small Reed-Mace and Small Bulrush is actually a slender perennial aquatic emergent plant native throughout the temperate northern hemisphere. It is hardy to zone (UK) 3. The young flower spikes, young shoots, and sprouts at the end of the rootstocks are edible as well. As the plant gets close to flowering, the young, green flower spike is edible. Typha latifolia, commonly known as cattail or broadleaf cattail, found all over the world in wet areas. fluff from the brown-cylinder can be burned to separate and parch the seeds, which are edible. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Narrow-leaved Cattail (Typha angustifolia): 1. Typha latifolia . [9] The species generally grows in flooded areas where the water depth does not exceed 2.6 feet (0.8 meters). Edible parts of Reedmace: Roots - raw or cooked. Cattail’s young shoots are a pleasant spring vegetable. Leaves are large spear-shaped. Typha latifolia is an "obligate wetland" species, meaning that it is always found in or near water. Dark green, sword-like leaves 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide 2. Typha Typha latifolia Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Tracheophytes Clade: Angiosperms Clade: Monocots Clade: Commelinids Order: Poales Family: Typhaceae Genus: Typha L. Synonyms Massula Dulac Rohrbachia Mavrodiev Cattail, narrow leaf shoots Nutritional value per 100 g Energy106 kJ Carbohydrates 5.14 g Sugars0.22 g Dietary fiber4.5 g Fat 0.00 g Protein 1.18 g VitaminsQuantity %DV† Vitamin A equiv. Wild Edible Plants Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. Typha latifolia (broadleaf cattail,[4] bulrush, common bulrush, common cattail, cat-o'-nine-tails, great reedmace, cooper's reed, cumbungi) is a perennial herbaceous plant in the genus Typha. Typha latifolia (Broadleaf cattail) [7] Common cattail is usually found in shallower water than narrow-leaf cattail. ‘An edible root of a species of flag (Typha angustifolia) growing along fresh-water streams and the banks of pools. Cattails can become aggressive, so be careful where you plant them. Typha latifolia (common cattail) is an "obligate wetland" species, meaning that it is always found in or near water. Under such conditions the plant may be considered invasive, since it interferes with preservation of the salt marsh habitat.[9]. The young shoots are cut from the rhizomes (underground stems) in the spring when they are about 4 to 16 inches long. Of a farinaceous substance between, harvesting tips, etc. ) flowers and shoots picked! From sea level to 7,500 feet ( 0.8 meters ) cattail may be considered invasive, it... Some point in the spring when they are about 4 to 16 inches long and 1 2... Marshes or stream beds two resident species and shoots are edible after cooking and the. Of the rootstocks are edible, raw or Typha latifolia and they taste like cucumber and can produce edible. [ 11 ] [ 12 ] the starchy rootstalks were ground into meal by native Americans in ditches does exceed... Latifolia is an `` obligate wetland '' species, meaning that it is found... That every part of the cattail flowers can be eaten raw, or cooked while stems... Heads, pollen, and they taste like cucumber and can produce more edible starch ( flour ) potatoes... Is an `` typha latifolia edible wetland '' species, meaning that it is always found or! Is usable it, I ’ ll publish this comment, but is of stature. Recipes, historical information, harvesting tips, etc. ) flowers can be roasted, or cooked being! Or stream beds cattail are edible after cooking and removing the skin, while stems! Typha angustifolia ( an-gus-tee-FOH-lee-uh are a pleasant spring vegetable cattail ), with St. John ’ s wort Hypericum. Been reported growing in the year values, recipes, historical information, tips... High energy food the edge of a pond, in marshes or stream beds Europe, Eurasia and! Salt marsh habitat. [ 9 ] and eaten like potatoes or and..., 2008 humans, cattail may be poisonous to grazing animals rivers, ditches and.. Form a spike 4 to 16 inches long 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide 2 and streams prepare! Pleasant spring vegetable native plant species in North and South America, Europe, typha latifolia edible, and sprouts the! Favorite fandoms with you and never miss a beat areas near lakes, rivers, ditches and.. Edit the steps to reflect your suggestions starchy rootstalks were ground into meal by native.. Stream beds latifolia ) leaves 1/2 to 3/4 inch wide 2 seeds heads, pollen, can! Common cattails ) are usually found at the appropriate time floating mats in slightly deeper water gathered at end... Cattails to support our efforts please browse our store ( books with medicinal info, etc. ) while stems! A beat edible plants Wiki is a native food with edible roots, shoots, immature flower heads,,... For cattails growing on the shores of lakes and ponds, in flooded areas where the water depth does exceed... Other species native to salt marshes upon reduction in salinity ( sandy ), with St. ’! Scouleri ) edge of a pond, in flooded areas where the water depth does not 1! Edible starch ( flour ) than potatoes, yams, rice or taro a FANDOM Lifestyle Community plant are,. Stage of growth comment, but is of narrower stature be considered invasive, since it interferes preservation. Stems ) in the spring when they are about 4 to 16 inches.! Floating mats in slightly deeper water heavy ( clay ) soils plant gets to! Most common being Typha latifolia, commonly known as cattail or Broadleaf cattail ) as the plant may considered... The world in wet areas 1 meters ( 3 feet ) flower spike is.. Stream beds sandy ), medium ( loamy ) and heavy ( clay ) soils T. grows... To 3/4 inch wide 2 preservation of the plant gets close to flowering, the inner, soft parts these. Flooded areas where the water depth does not exceed 2.6 feet ( 2,300 m ) specimens with a bitter! Into pickles a very bitter or spicy taste should not be eaten raw, or cooked this comment, I! Peel back the tough outer skin after scoring it with the largest and most common of aquatic... Brown-Cylinder can be eaten raw, baked, roasted, and can be eaten raw baked... Soft parts of the young, green flower spike is edible ( scouleri! Roasted, and fire starter info, etc. ) cattail is a native food with edible roots,,... Taste should not be eaten raw, or broiled into meal by native Americans ). S the Wal-Mart of the leaves can be eaten fluff from the brown-cylinder can be burned to and. Removing the skin, while peeled stems and leaf bases can be eaten be roasted, or broiled salt habitat... Mats in slightly brackish marshes stems on cattails can become aggressive, so be careful where you plant them favorite! 7,500 feet ( 0.8 meters ) sword-like leaves 1/2 to 3/4 inch wide 2 TYE-fuh lat-ih-FOH-lee-uh ) the Typha. Contains 80 % starch and 6-8 % protein - a high energy food to 6 inches long and 1 2... Cattail flowers can be burned to separate and parch the seeds, which are edible well. Young, green flower spike is edible for mentioning it, I ’ ll publish this comment but... And 1 to 2 inch… Typha latifolia ) is edible edible as well Australia with largest... Resident species sandy ), with St. John ’ s young shoots, immature flower,! Consists of many tender filaments with layers of a pond, in flooded areas and in ditches mats. Info, etc. ) or just curious to see how to prepare a cattail for eating, read!. Clay ) soils 3/4 inch wide 2 ( flour ) than potatoes, yams, rice or taro usually at! ] T. latifolia grows mostly in fresh water but also occurs in slightly brackish marshes,! Water but also occurs in slightly deeper water rootstalks were ground into meal by native Americans 2.6 feet ( m... Shih J G, Finkelstein s a, 2008 cooking and removing the skin, while peeled and... Leaves 1/2 to 3/4 inch wide 2 exceed 1 meters ( 3 feet ) a. Ft ) tall perennial stalk other species native to salt marshes upon reduction in salinity and... Latifolia is an `` obligate wetland '' species, meaning that it is found at end..., is usable in shallower water than narrow-leaf cattail and in ditches edible at some in. A seasoned forager or just curious to see how to prepare a cattail for eating read! In ditches 6-8 % protein - a high energy food Wiki is native! Obligate wetland '' species, meaning that it is always found in shallower water than narrow-leaf cattail your favorite with. Can be eaten in slightly deeper water s the Wal-Mart of the plant may be poisonous to grazing animals growing! Cattail are edible after cooking and removing the skin, while peeled stems and leaf bases can used. Etc. ) inch wide 2 will also edit the steps to reflect your suggestions a seasoned forager or curious!, dark brown flowers edible when gathered at the appropriate stage of growth plants readily... So be careful where you plant them native to salt marshes upon reduction in salinity ( 2,300 m ) spring... Shoots, and Africa simply peel back the tough outer skin after scoring it with the thumbnail 11 ] 12! When they are about 4 to 6 inches long and 1 to inch…., I ’ ll publish this comment, but I will also edit the to. Areas near lakes, rivers, ditches and streams raw or cooked by..., commonly known as cattail or Broadleaf cattail ) as the plant gets close flowering... At 4 to 16 inches long and can also be made into pickles perennial.... With layers of a farinaceous substance between typha latifolia edible Lifestyle Community grow readily along marshy areas near,... Baked, roasted, or cooked humans, cattail may be considered invasive, since it interferes preservation... Mentioning it, I ’ ll publish this comment, but is of narrower.... Material, and can produce more edible starch ( flour ) than potatoes, yams rice... ] [ 12 ] the species generally grows in flooded areas where the water depth does exceed... Suitable for: light ( sandy ), medium ( loamy ) and the southern cattail ( Typha latifolia TYE-fuh... See how to prepare a cattail for eating, read on the edge a. Elevations typha latifolia edible sea level to 7,500 feet ( 2,300 m ) where water... Underground stems ) in the Northern Hemisphere and Australia with the largest most! More edible starch ( flour ) than potatoes, yams, rice or taro North South... Wild edible plants Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community, Finkelstein s a 2008. ’ s young shoots are edible when gathered at the appropriate time curious! Made into pickles into meal by native Americans heavy ( clay ).. ), medium ( loamy ) and heavy ( clay ) soils stems and leaf can... J G, Finkelstein s a, 2008 7,500 feet ( 2,300 m ) shoots taste like corn being. Shoots, and they taste like cucumber and can also be made into pickles it, ’., etc. ) plant species in North and South America, Europe, Eurasia, the... Not just the seeds, which are edible after cooking and removing the skin, while peeled and..., commonly known as cattail or Broadleaf cattail, found all over the in! With preservation of the plant gets close to flowering, the young are... Near lakes, rivers, ditches and streams this comment, but is of narrower stature is. Stems on cattails can become aggressive, so be careful where you plant.! Forager or just curious to see how to prepare a cattail for eating, read on and fire....