Bora. Elephant grass (Typha elephantina)

Family: Typhaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Typha elephantina is an evergreen Perennial growing to 3 m (9ft) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid, very alkaline and saline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Leaves, Shoots, Roots/Tubers, Flowers, Pollen

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

sweet flavour. — Edible Portion: Rhizome, Leaves, Flowers, Pollen, Stems, Roots, Vegetable.; This species has the same properties as other Typha species, but it is particularly suitable for exploitation owing to its enormous size.; The report does not give any other information, but the general uses of other large Typha species are as follows:- Rhizomes - raw or cooked.; Rich in starch, around 30 - 46%, they can be boiled and eaten like potatoes or macerated and then boiled to yield a sweet syrup.

Habitat & North American Range

A tropical plant. Riverside thickets. Swamps and riversides. It grows on the Deccan in India. It grows on the edge of water. It grows in the Sahara and the Sahel. It can grow in salty soils. It can grow in arid places. (Zone 10)