Edible Weeds Series~Cattails #4

Cattails are found pretty much anywhere in the world where there is full sun and areas of lakes, streams, canals, rivers, and brackish water.

The young tender shoots are edible raw or cooked. The rhizome is often very tough but is a rich source of starch. Pound the rhizome to remove the starch and use as a flour. The pollen is also an exceptional source of starch. When the cattail is immature and still green, you can boil the female portion and eat it like corn on the cob.

Other Uses: The dried leaves are an excellent source of weaving material you can use to make floats and rafts. The cottony seeds make good pillow stuffing and insulation. The fluff makes excellent tinder. Dried cattails are effective insect repellents when burned.



Website here has some different ways to eat...I haven't tried cattail yet, but I will soon!