Bulrush
Also known as Great Reedmace and Cat's-tail
Information about properties also applies to Lesser Bulrush T. angustifolia
Botanical name: Typha latifolia
Family: Reed-mace (Typhaceae)
Collectability: common, widespread, good - specialised habitat
Main benefit
Multiple use plant with source of carbohydrates and protein
Use - overview
Features and Identification
Habitat
Type: freshwater margins, in water no deeper than 15 cm
Distribution: throughout northern hemisphere
Prefers: wet
Other: patch forming
General
Growth type: herb
Cycle: perennial
Height: 2 meters or more
Leaf
Shape: long blades, rounded profile
Texture: smooth
Arrangement: fanning out from base
Edge: smooth
Other: blueish bloom
Root
Type: rhizome
Flower
Diameter: tiny
Arrangement: female: sausage-shaped cluster near top of spike; male: tail-shaped spike above female cluster
Colour:
Type: freshwater margins, in water no deeper than 15 cm
Distribution: throughout northern hemisphere
Prefers: wet
Other: patch forming
General
Growth type: herb
Cycle: perennial
Height: 2 meters or more
LeafShape: long blades, rounded profile
Texture: smooth
Arrangement: fanning out from base
Edge: smooth
Other: blueish bloom
RootType: rhizome
FlowerDiameter: tiny
Arrangement: female: sausage-shaped cluster near top of spike; male: tail-shaped spike above female cluster
Colour:
Caution Notes
May be mistaken for the poisonous Yellow Flag when not in flower. Both may grow in the same habitat. Flag leaves have a distinct mid-rib, and are more brightly green, whereas Bulrush leaves have a more rounded surface, are more blue-green, and have a bloom.
When Available?
April to July April to June all year - best October to March July and August all year
Culinary Use
Flavour
Rating and Description:
cucumber like
immature: sweet corn like
roasted: nutty
How to Consume
(young) (base) (immature spike, pollen): raw
raw, flour
raw, roasted, flour, oil
Special preparation
remove rind
Nutrition
80% carbohydrate, mostly starch, some protein
pollen: protein
Used as ...
food
condiment
Rating and Description:
cucumber like immature: sweet corn like roasted: nuttyHow to Consume
(young) (base) (immature spike, pollen): raw raw, flour raw, roasted, flour, oilSpecial preparation
remove rindNutrition
80% carbohydrate, mostly starch, some protein pollen: proteinUsed as ...
food condiment
Medicinal Use
Action:
diuretic
diuretic, galactogogue, tonic
pollen: astringent, diuretic, emmenagogue, haemostatic, refrigerant, sedative, suppurative, vulnerary
dried: anticoagulant; roasted with charcoal: haemostatic
May treat:
external: wounds, boils, burns, inflammation
abdominal pain, amenorrhoea, cystitis, vaginitis
dried: internal (not in pregnancy): kidney stones, haemorrhage, painful menstruation, abnormal uterine bleeding, post-partum pains, abscesses, lymphatic cancer, diarrhoea; external: injuries
diuretic diuretic, galactogogue, tonic pollen: astringent, diuretic, emmenagogue, haemostatic, refrigerant, sedative, suppurative, vulnerary dried: anticoagulant; roasted with charcoal: haemostaticMay treat:
external: wounds, boils, burns, inflammation abdominal pain, amenorrhoea, cystitis, vaginitis dried: internal (not in pregnancy): kidney stones, haemorrhage, painful menstruation, abnormal uterine bleeding, post-partum pains, abscesses, lymphatic cancer, diarrhoea; external: injuries
Other Use
thatch, paper, mats, compost, fuel, light (pith, oil-soaked), dried: insulation, buoyancy female: tinder, cushion stuffing, insulation, nappy lining pollen: highly flammable
Collection, Storing and Notes
Collection
pollen: brush off over container with fine brush to pollinate plant at the same time, giving pollen, and later seed too
difficult to sever - use knife
Drying
dry to store
Note
is minuscule and attached to down - hardly worth the effort to collect as food
pollen: brush off over container with fine brush to pollinate plant at the same time, giving pollen, and later seed too difficult to sever - use knifeDrying
dry to storeNote
is minuscule and attached to down - hardly worth the effort to collect as food
Key
Plant parts:
leaf
stem or trunk
sap
root, bulb, tuber and other below ground parts
flower
fruit
seed
Use:
culinary use
medicinal use
household use
Other:
caution
leaf stem or trunk sap root, bulb, tuber and other below ground parts flower fruit seedUse:
culinary use medicinal use household useOther:
caution
Glossary
Glossary of Medicinal Terms and Nutritive Substances
- anticoagulant: retards or prevents blood clotting
- astringent: causes localised contraction of blood vessels and tissue, reducing the flow of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
- diuretic: increases secretion and elimination of urine
- emmenagogue: stimulates or normalises menstrual flow, in early pregnancy may induce an abortion
- galactagogue: stimulates the production of breast milk or increases milk flow
- haemostatic: controls bleeding (see astringent)
- refrigerant: produces a feeling of coolness
- sedative: calms the nervous system and reduces stress
- suppurative: forms or discharges pus
- tonic: improves general health, bringing steady improvement
- vulnerary: promotes healing of wounds (applied externally)
