What are Cattails?
Cattails are a genus of about 30 species of tall, reedy marsh plants that grow in wetland habitats across North America. Their scientific name is Typha, with common cattail species including narrowleaf cattail (Typha angustifolia), southern cattail (Typha domingensis), and broadleaf cattail (Typha latifolia).
Cattails typically grow in shallow, flooded areas like marshes, wet meadows, pond edges, and ditches. They can reach heights of 3-10 feet tall. Cattails have elongated, upright leaves that resemble blades or straps. The leaves emerge from a central stalk.
During the summer, cattails produce dense, cylindrical flower spikes at the top of their stalks. These brown, furry spikes house the tiny flowers. Cattails mainly spread through rhizomes – underground stems that creep horizontally to populate an area. They also propagate through wind-dispersed seeds.
Source: https://www.britannica.com/plant/cattail
Traditional and Modern Uses of Cattails
Cattails have been utilized by indigenous peoples for thousands of years and all parts of the plant have had some use. According to NativeTech, cattails were a staple food source and the roots could be eaten raw, boiled, or ground into flour for bread making (Source). The leaves were used for weaving waterproof mats, baskets, and even shelters. The fluffy tops were used as insulation in shoes and clothing. Medicinally, the pollen was used to help stop bleeding and the roots were applied to wounds as a poultice.
Today, foragers seek out cattail shoots in the springtime which can be peeled and eaten raw or cooked like asparagus. The young flower heads can be boiled and eaten like corn on the cob. The pollen can be used as a flour supplement in baked goods and the dried stalks make great tinder for fires (Source). Some modern uses also include eating the starchy roots raw, boiled or even fried into cattail fries.
Nutritional Value
Cattails are highly nutritious and all parts of the plant can be consumed. The immature flower spikes are especially nutrient-dense.
According to Nutrient Optimiser, 100 grams of cattail shoots contains 16 calories and is high in vitamin K, providing 12.4 mcg or 15% of the Daily Value. Cattails also contain 12 mg of magnesium, 0.9 grams of fiber, and 0.17 mg of manganese.
The green flower heads are rich in beta-carotene. As noted by Specialty Produce, cattails provide vitamins C, riboflavin, niacin, and thiamin. They are also a source of phosphorus and potassium.
Cattail rhizomes can be dried and ground into a gluten-free flour. This flour is particularly high in protein and fiber.
Toxicity Concerns
All parts of cattails contain varying levels of potentially toxic cyanogenic glycosides, which can release hydrogen cyanide if consumed raw and improperly prepared. The rhizomes in particular contain the highest concentration of these compounds.
While the shoots and leafy portions are edible when young, the rhizomes always pose a poisoning risk if eaten raw. They must be properly processed through cooking, drying or fermenting to deactivate the cyanogenic glycosides before consumption. Consuming raw rhizomes can cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and dizziness from cyanide poisoning.
The young flower heads can also be eaten when boiled, though the mature brown cattail fluff contains irritating silica hairs and phenolic compounds that can cause mouth and throat irritation if consumed.
Overall, never consume any cattail parts raw. With proper processing and preparation, the risk of poisoning is low, but foragers should still exercise caution and avoid overindulging.
Foraging Safely
When foraging for cattails, proper identification is crucial to avoid poisonous lookalikes. According to the University of Minnesota Extension, the most distinctive parts are “the brown, velvety, cigar-shaped head that blooms into what we call ‘cattail fluff’” (https://extension.umn.edu/natural-resources-news/wild-edibles-cattails).
It’s also important to avoid areas where the plants may have absorbed pollutants like roadsides, industrial wastelands, and downstream from mines or other industry. Look for clean, flowing water instead (https://www.growforagecookferment.com/foraging-for-cattails/).
Proper preparation is key to remove potential toxins. Peel sheaths surrounding young shoots and boil for at least 10 minutes before eating. Roots should be peeled and dried or boiled multiple times, changing the water each time, to leach out toxins.
Sustainable Harvesting
When harvesting cattails, it’s important to follow sustainable practices to avoid damaging the plant and its environment. Here are some tips for responsible harvesting:
Take only what you need. Cattail stands support diverse wildlife, so avoid clearing entire areas. Only harvest a small percentage of stalks from each stand.
Leave rhizomes intact. Cattails spread through underground rhizome networks. Avoid digging these up, so the plant can regrow for the future.
Avoid overharvested areas. If a stand appears sparse or damaged from overharvesting, leave it alone to recover. Move on to find a dense, healthy stand instead.
Cut stalks near the base. This prevents damaging the rhizomes while gathering stalk material. The plant can then readily regrow the following season.
Harvest seasonally. Only harvest during appropriate seasons to allow the stand to complete its annual growth cycle. In northern regions, late summer and fall are ideal.
Research suggests harvesting no more than 30% of stalks from a stand to maintain its ecological health (Grosshans, 2017). With mindful harvesting practices, we can gather cattails while ensuring their longevity.
Lookalikes to Avoid
When foraging for cattails, it’s important to be able to distinguish between the edible common cattail (Typha latifolia) and its toxic lookalike, the narrowleaf cattail (Typha angustifolia). The narrowleaf cattail contains typhoid compounds that can cause diarrhea and gastrointestinal distress if ingested 1.
Some key differences between the two species:
- Typha latifolia has wider leaves (1/2 inch or wider) compared to the narrow leaves of Typha angustifolia.
- Typha latifolia has a gap between the male and female flower spikes, while Typha angustifolia’s spikes touch.
- Typha latifolia has a soft, spongy pith in the stalk, while Typha angustifolia’s pith is more fibrous.
There are also several grassy plants that resemble cattail leaves, such as pampas grass, blue flag iris, and sweet flag. Always examine the plant closely before harvesting to ensure you have correctly identified the common cattail.
Allergy Concerns
Cattails produce a large amount of pollen which can cause allergic reactions in some people (https://www.pollen.com/research/genus/typha). The pollen is cross-reactive with other grass and weed pollens, so those with sensitivities to other plants in the grass family may experience cattail pollen allergies as well (https://wonderwise.unl.edu/15pollen/kidsactivity/micro2.htm).
Potential allergy symptoms from exposure to cattail pollen include sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, coughing, congestion, itchy throat, and asthma flare-ups. In rare cases, some people may experience hives, swelling, or anaphylaxis. Those with pollen allergies should take precautions and limit exposure when cattails are releasing pollen.
Ecological Importance
Cattails play a vital role in wetland ecosystems. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, “The ecological value of cattails lies in their importance to wetlands and the wildlife that depend on wetlands” (https://www.usgs.gov/media/videos/importance-cattails-wetlands). Cattails help maintain open water habitat in wetlands by trapping sediment. Their fast growth and dense root systems prevent erosion. Cattails also filter pollutants and nutrients from water.
As a food source, cattails provide habitat and nutrients for wildlife. The seeds, shoots, and rhizomes are eaten by ducks, geese, muskrats, beavers, and other animals. Cattail leaves provide shelter for insects, which are eaten by birds and fish. According to The Nature Conservancy, “Cattail marshes also provide nesting habitat for marsh wren, redwing blackbird, ducks, and geese” (https://www.nature.org/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/documents/UT_WingsWater_WetlandProducers_Jan19.pdf). By supporting biodiversity and ecosystem health, cattails are a keystone wetland species.
Conclusion
Cattails are a versatile wild edible with a long history of traditional uses for food, medicine, and utilitarian purposes. While nutritious and edible when properly prepared, they do contain potential toxins that warrant caution. Only harvest sustainable quantities from clean water sources and cook sufficiently to remove toxins. Proper identification is also crucial to avoid toxic lookalikes. With care and wisdom, cattails can provide a bounty of nourishing food and useful materials. Forage safely, sustainably and in consideration of wildlife that depend on wetland habitats.
