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CATTAIL
(Typha latifolia)
broad-leaved cattail
Description:
Familiar plant of the swamps with stout stem, light green linear
leaves, flowers in a dense, cylinder shaped, brown spike. Common
in marshes and wet places throughout the world, except for Arctic
regions.
Edible:
Greens, in spring are bland, contain vit. A, C. Pull outer leaves
away from root stalk, use tender cores for salads or cook. Boil
green pollen spike 10 minutes, eat like corn on the cob. Shake
pollen from yellow spike into container, mix with other flours.
Brown spike used for tinder, insulation. Seeds winnowed, parched,
ground for flour or boiled for mush. Dried leaves, stalks used
in making bags, shelter, mats, chairs, baskets, sandals, ponchos
and blankets.
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