Laxmannii Cattail (Typha laxmannii)

Family: Typhaceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Typha laxmannii is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils.

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 syrup. — Roots - raw or cooked.; They can be boiled and eaten like potatoes or macerated and then boiled to yield a sweet syrup.; The roots can also be dried, ground into a powder and then used as a thickener in soups etc or added to cereal flours.; Rich in protein, this flour is used to make biscuits, bread, cakes etc.

Habitat & North American Range

Lakes, rivers, ditches and wet places in Turkey. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)