Having fun foraging and learning about cattails

Cattail with spent male spike on top and a female spike belowPhoto taken with a Nikon D200, ISO 100 @ F8 for 8 seconds. Side lighting was provided by an iPad.

 

I’ve grumbled and grumbled about this invasive stand of cattails that has invaded a muddy spot in my garden. I didn’t mind it when it was only a few but they quickly grew. Since they spread by rhizomes it was hard to pull up so they continued to grow. I thought it was time they went but before I started ripping them up I did a little research on this plant. After spending a whole day this weekend enjoying myself with this plant I came to the conclusion my thinking was all wrong. Every part of the plant at some time of the year has a use. The native American Indians used to harvest cattails and after spending a day with them I found out why.
It’s just a few days before the Summer solstice on June 21st and it appears that this is the optimum time at least for some of the things you can do with cattails. Pictures left is a perfect one for harvesting. The brown male and female stalk is not yet visible but tucked neatly between the leaves. Read more