Names
Shoshone: sy.p
English: Cattail
Scientific: Typha latifolia
Zone
Montane
Harvest Time
- 1. Spring: stems, roots
- 2. July: flower spikes
- 3. August: pollen
- 4. September: seed fluff
Primary Uses
- Pollen as protein in bread
Secondary Uses
- Leaves woven for mats
- Seed fluff for insulation
- padding, diapers, pillows
Cautions
- Modern use: boil all underwater stems and roots to kill parasites that may be in the water
Active Principle(s)
- None Listed
Video Description of Plant
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Notes
General Notes
- Pollen is 98% digestible protein
- Used as a thickener in soups and stews
- The whole plant is food
- Flower spikes eaten
- Rootstocks –> flour
- Stems cooked
- Pollen as protein in bread
- Leaves woven for mats, seed fluff for insulation (i.e., padding, diapers, pillows)
Stem Uses
- Anti-inflammatory – lower stems cut and applied to wounds for cooling
- Boiled rootstocks chewed or taken as tea – stems chewed for cough
- green flower spikes chewed for diarrhea
- Infection-dried, powdered rootstocks put on open wounds
- Intestinal Health – green flower spikes eaten for digestive distress
- Pain – sticky juice from stems applied to toothache
- Dried rootstocks put on rashes
- Green flower spikes eaten for upset stomach
- Rootstocks chewed to increase urine flow
Process Prep
- Raw or boiled in stews
- Medicine: plant soaked 24 hours