Cattail

Typha latifolia — Typhaceae

Italiano: Tifa comune — Cattail

Description

Cattail (Typha latifolia) belongs to the Typhaceae family and is native to NAmerica. It thrives in Wetlands, Ponds, Marshes, Water edges environments across regions including USA_all, Canada, Temperate global. Botanically, Cattail is survival superfood ALL parts edible. Shoots vegetable roots starch pollen flour.. It is also known locally as Cattail. The edible parts include Shoots, Roots, Pollen, Stems. With an edibility rating of 9/10, it ranks as an excellent wild food source. Harvesting is best done during April, August, July, June, March and May. Nutritionally, Cattail stands out for its Potassium (740.0mg, 16% DV), Magnesium (42.0mg, 10% DV) and Iron (1.2mg, 7% DV). It also provides 3.4g protein and 0.8g dietary fiber per 100g serving. In the kitchen, Cattail offers a Delicate sweet starchy flavor profile. Raw shoots boiled roots flour pollen. Common culinary applications include raw shoots, flour, starch, side dish. Popular preparations include Cattail flour, Cattail pollen, Sauteed greens with garlic, Wild green pesto. For storage, dried root 1yr Pollen 6mo. Safety note: No toxicity COLLECT clean water only. Antinutrient content is no antinutrients. Microbiological risk water. Always verify identification with at least three independent botanical sources before consumption.

🌿 Foraging Tips

Where to find: Grows in Wetlands, Ponds, Marshes, Water edges across USA_all, Canada, Temperate global.

🍳 Recipe: Cattail flour

Preparation method: Raw shoots boiled roots flour pollen
Flavor profile: Delicate sweet starchy
Edible parts: Shoots, Roots, Pollen, Stems

This is one of the traditional ways to prepare this wild edible plant. Always ensure proper plant identification before cooking.

When to harvest: Best months: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug.
Lookalike (safe): No edible wetland
⚠️ Lookalike (toxic): No poisonous same habitat
Tip: Always verify identification with multiple sources before consuming any wild plant. When in doubt, do not eat it.

Edibility

9/10
Toxicity: No toxicity COLLECT clean water only
Antinutrients: No antinutrients. Microbiological risk water
Safe lookalikes: No edible wetland
Dangerous: No poisonous same habitat

Harvest Calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Edible parts: Shoots, Roots, Pollen, Stems
Preparation: Raw shoots boiled roots flour pollen
Flavor: Delicate sweet starchy

Nutrition (per 100g)

Protein: 3.4g
Fat: 0.4g
Fiber: 0.8g
Vitamin C: 5.0mg (5%DV)
Vitamin A: 10mcg (1%DV)
Vitamin E: 0.1mg (0%DV)
Vitamin K: 3mcg (2%DV)
Folate (B9): 12mcg (3%DV)
Calcium: 35.0mg (2%DV)
Iron: 1.2mg (6%DV)
Magnesium: 42mg (10%DV)
Potassium: 740mg (15%DV)
Zinc: 0.6mg (5%DV)

Culinary Uses: raw shoots, flour, starch, side dish Storage: Dried root 1yr Pollen 6mo

Recipes

  • Cattail flour
  • Cattail pollen
  • Sauteed greens with garlic
  • Wild green pesto
  • Leafy green soup
  • Wild Cattail salad
  • Foraged Cattail pesto
  • Roasted Cattail

Where It Grows

Continent: NAmerica
Regions: USA_all, Canada, Temperate global
Habitat: Wetlands, Ponds, Marshes, Water edges
⚠️
Important: Always verify plant identification before consumption. This content is for informational purposes only. Consult reliable sources and experts before eating any wild plant. Improper identification can be dangerous.

📖 Related Guides

Related Plants

🌿 American Bladdernut🌿 Black-eyed Susan🌿 Bunchberry

Sources & References

Kew Plants of the World USDA PLANTS Wikipedia (EN)