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Typha latifolia Dr Otto

Typha latifolia and Typha angustifolia
Illustration by Prof. Dr. Otto Wilhelm Thomé Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz 1885, Gera, Germany
Public domain

Typha latifolia, commonly known as cattail or broadleaf cattail, found all over the world in wet areas. It is closely related to Typha angustifolia.

Edible Parts[]

In spring, the inner, soft parts of the young stem are edible, raw or cooked. Simply peel back the tough outer skin after scoring it with the thumbnail. It smells and tastes somewhat like cucumber.

As the plant gets close to flowering, the young, green flower spike is edible.

When the flowers have matured, the pollen from the male flower part (the top part) is edible and can be used as flour. It works well when added with wheat flower.

The rhizomes, fleshy roots, are also edible when cooked and are available even in winter, if one is able to dig them up.


External Links[]

Big Site Links
Wikipedia
Plants for a Future
eFloras.org
USDA


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