Minima Cattail (Typha minima)

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

Typha minima is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from May to August, and the seeds ripen from June to September. 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. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Roots/Tubers, Pollen

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

Flavor & Culinary Uses

sweet syrup. — The following notes are for other members of this genus, but they probably also apply to this species:- 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

In shallow water of ponds and rivers in northern China. (Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)