Other Names:

N/A

Range:

Identifying characteristics:

Growth Type:

This perennial aquatic plant is easily recognizable by the distinctive cigar shaped flower spike that occurs at the top of a long stalk extending upward through a cluster of pale green, tape like leaves. It is important to note that the leaves wrap around and tightly sheath the stalk toward its base, and often extend below the water surface.

These characteristics allow it to be easily distinguished from the poison Blue Flag, or Wild Iris. Blue Flag only reaches 2ft in height. The leaves of the Blue Flag do not sheath the flower stem, but rather start from the same point.

Height:

3 - 12 feet high at maturity.

Leaves:

Long pale green tape-like lance shaped leaves which wrap around and tightly sheath the stalk toward its base, and often extend below the water surface.

Stem/Trunk:

Single erect terminating in a brown cigar shaped flower spike.

Root:

Spreading rhizome.

Flower:

Season:

Early summer

Appearance:

Distinctive cigar shaped flower spike that occurs at the top of a long stalk.

Seed/Fruit:

In autumn the flower spike ripens and bursts forth with a mass of fluffy cotton like seeds.

Miscellaneous characteristics:

Text

Habitat:

Shallow waters of marshes and streams. Margins of ponds and lakes. Some species in brackish water.

Parts Used:

Stems - trail nibble, salad, cooked vegetable. The young shoots and stems taste like cucumber.

Flower spikes -  Cooked Vegetable. Gather when green. Boil for a few minutes. They taste reminiscent of corn on the cob

Pollen - Flour. For a short time in late spring or early summer, before the flower spikes turn brown, the green pollen can be gathered by carefully bending the flower head into a bag, and shaking it gently. the flour will fall into the bottom of the bag. be careful not to let the wind get to it, as this is so light, a small wind will blow it away. I have never been able to collect enough to make it a viable food source, but it is still fun to try.

Rhizome - Flour

Corm - Flour, potato substitute

Tubers - Potato substitute

Leaves - Thatching, weaving mats.

Dried flower head - Tinder

Uses:

Wild Food Uses:

From early spring through early summer the flower stalks have an excellent, refreshing, cucumber like flavor. They are very good in soups, salads, and just peeled and eaten raw. Select a plant, and start by peeling the first few layers of leaves away to below the water level. Now grasp the entire stem just above the water level, and pull gently upward. The stem will release from the rhizome. Peel away the remaining fibrous leaves until you end up with the tender inner stem. Rinse in clean water to remove the slightly slimy coating. I have heard this goop can also be saved to thicken soups, but it never seemed worth the trouble to me, so I just rinse it off. Eat the stem bite by bite from the white end. As you begin to reach the upper fibrous parts, just peel away more leaves, and continue to enjoy.

You can also gather the rhizome, corms, and tubers. All are starchy, and excellent sources of carbohydrates. The rhizomes are quite fibrous, but they can be pounded, and the fibers strained out, and the mixture placed in a bucket of water. After the starch settles to the bottom, pour the water off the top, and let the remaining water evaporate for a couple of days. You will be left with highly nutritious flour. As the summer and autumn progress, enlarged tubers begin to develop along the fibrous roots. These starchy bulbs will send up next years plant. They can be gathered by raking around in the muck with a rake, your hands, or your bare feet. They are small 1" - 2" in diameter, but are quite good. I enjoy them in stews and soups.

As you see, Cattails are an extremely useful plant to know. Their abundance makes them a viable food source for anyone looking to supplement their dies with a tasty, highly nutritious carbohydrate.

The following text is meant for informational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or injury. Always consult with a physician or other qualified medical care provider concerning the diagnosis and treatment of any illness or injury.

Medicinal Uses:

None Known

Additional Uses:

The leaves can be used to weave baskets or mats, or to make thatching to keep a shelter water proof. The dried pollen fluff is a passable tinder for starting fires. It can also be used as a punk to store embers for a future fire.