Totora (Schoenoplectus californicus tatora)

Family: Cyperaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Schoenoplectus californicus tatora is an evergreen Perennial growing to 2 m (6ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil and can grow in water.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Shoots, Roots/Tubers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Rhizomes - cooked. Baked, or dried for later use. Stems - cooked. The lower 30cm of the stem is peeled and baked, or dried for later use. — Rhizomes - cooked.; Baked, or dried for later use.; The lower 30cm of the stem is peeled and baked, or dried for later use.

Habitat & North American Range

Brackish to fresh marshes, shores, often emergent in water; at elevations from sea level to 1,400 metres in North America. Shallow water of lake shores, ranging from sea level to about 1,700 metres in Guatemala. (Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10)