Typha domingensis
Southern Cattail
a perennial member of the Typha genus in the family Typhaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Roots - raw or cooked[3]. Rich in starch[2], it can be boiled and eaten like potatoes or macerated and then boiled to yield a sweet syrup. The root can also be dried, ground into a poder 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[6]. The root contains a lot of fibre[7]. One way to remove this fibre is to peel lengths of the root that are about 20 - 25cm long, place them by a fire for a short while to dry and then twist and loosen the fibres when the starch of the root can be shaken out[7]. Young shoots in spring - raw or cooked[7]. An asparagus substitute. The inner core is eaten[4]. Base of mature stem - raw or cooked. It is best to remove the outer part of the stem. Young flowering stem - raw, cooked or made into a soup. Tastes like sweet corn[4]. Seed - cooked. The seed is rather small and fiddly to utilize, but has a pleasant nutty taste when roasted. An edible oil is obtained from the seed. Due to the small size of the seed this is probably not a very worthwhile crop[K]. Pollen - raw or cooked. A protein rich additive to flour used in making bread, porridge etc[2][6]. It can also be eaten with the young flowers, which makes it considerably easier to utilize. The pollen can be harvested by placing the flowering stem over a wide but shallow container and then gently tapping the stem and brushing the pollen off with a fine brush[13]. This will help to pollinate the plant and thereby ensure that both pollen and seeds can be harvested[K].
- Plant part
- Flowers
- Plant part
- Leaves
- Product or use
- Oil
- Plant part
- Pollen
- Plant part
- Root
- Plant part
- Seed
- Plant part
- Stem
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The leaves are diuretic[9]. The pollen is astringent, desiccant, diuretic, haemostatic and vulnerary[5][9]. It is used in the treatment of nose bleeds, haematemesis, haematuria, uterine bleeding, dysmenorrhoea, postpartum abdominal pain and gastralgia, scrofula and abscesses[5]. It is contraindicated for pregnant women[5]. The seed down is haemostatic[9]. The rootstock is astringent and diuretic[10].
- Product or use
- Astringent
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Haemostatic
- Product or use
- Vulnerary
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The stems and leaves have many uses, they make a good thatch, can be used in making paper, can be woven into mats, chairs, hats etc[3][11]. They are a good source of biomass, making an excellent addition to the compost heap or used as a source of fuel etc. A fibre obtained from the roots can be used for making string[7]. The hairs of the fruits are used for stuffing pillows etc. They have good insulating and buoyancy properties. The pollen is highly inflammable and is used in making fireworks. This plants extensive root system makes it very good for stabilizing wet banks of rivers, lakes etc.
- Product or use
- Biomass
- Product or use
- Fibre
- Product or use
- Insulation
- Product or use
- Paper
- Product or use
- Stuffing
- Product or use
- Thatching
- Product or use
- Weaving
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- Europe, Asia, N. America.
- Habitat
- Brackish to fresh marshes and pools in N. America[12].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- aquatic
- Hardiness
- Zone 5+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
- Salinity
- tolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - surface sow in a pot and stand it in 3cm of water. Pot up the young seedlings as soon as possible and, as the plants develop, increase the depth of water. Plant out in summer. Division in spring. Very easy, harvest the young shoots when they are about 10 - 30cm tall, making sure there is at least some root attached, and plant them out into their permanent positions.
Cultivation
It is growing well on my allotment in Hampshire, stony soil over chalk, and the bit of ground it is on didn't get any organic matter for several years and is fairly dry in summer but I suppose it hasn't dried out this year due to high rainfall. It is in full sun and is flowering it's heart out now; quite a pretty ground cover. ( Mid May )
There are no interactions listed for Typha domingensis. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.
There are no polycultures listed which include Typha domingensis.
None listed.
This table shows all the data stored for this plant.
Taxonomy
Binomial name
Typha domingensis
Genus
Typha
Family
Typhaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Uses
Material uses
Functions & Nature
Functions
Earth stabiliser
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
aquatic
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
Adapted Climate Zones
Native Geographical Range
Native Environment
Ecosystem Niche
Root Zone Tendancy
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
Herbaceous or Woody
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
Mature Size
3 x meters
Fertility
Pollinators
Wind
Flower Colour
Flower Type
monoecious
{#set:Has binomial name=Typha domingensis
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Singh. Dr. G. and Kachroo. Prof. Dr. P. Forest Flora of Srinagar. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1976-00-00
Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.
Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Low. T. Wild Food Plants of Australia. Angus and Robertson. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-207-14383-8
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00
Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
Singh. Dr. G. and Kachroo. Prof. Dr. P. Forest Flora of Srinagar. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh (1976-00-00)
Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest. ()
Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles (1985-00-00)
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
Low. T. Wild Food Plants of Australia. Angus and Robertson. ISBN 0-207-14383-8 (1989-00-00)
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. (1986-00-00)
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00
Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)