Simple Foraging: Cat Tail Rushes

Many opportunities for foraging exist, even in seemingly urban environments. In this article we are going to look at the common Cattail Rush which is an excellent source of carbohydrate at any time of year.

The Cattail Rush is so called because it’s flower stalk and seeds resemble a large cats tail. The flower forms on the end of a talk stalk and makes a dense bundle of down which is fluffy when pulled apart. As the flower ages and the seeds ripen the down separates into a ball of white fluff which can carry the seeds far on the wind. Typically the plant grows in water up to around 3ft deep, often forming very large clumps with a network of interlocking roots and rhizomes.

The rhizome is the main part of the plant of interest for foragers as it is rich in stored carbohydrates and easy to harvest in large quantities.

How To Harvest
Harvesting Cattail Rushes is easy as the plant is usually only weakly attached to the mud. Either from a safe position on the bank, a boat or wading in the water grab a bundle of leaves from one plant and pull steadily and gently so that the whole plant lifts from the water. Rinse off any mud from the base in the stream or pond then inspect the root system.

You will find that there are thick shoots sprouting sideways from the main roots. These are the rhizomes. Simply cut them free with a sharp knife and discard the rest of the plant. In a decent patch it is the work of a matter of a few minutes to gather enough rhizomes for a day’s worth of carbohydrates.

Cooking Your Meal
The simplest way to prepare these is to roast them directly in the embers of an open fire. They cook right through and the outer skin dries and shrivels. After removing them from the heat 10 minutes or so later (depending on the heat of the fire) let them cool for a bit and split the skin away from the sticky, slightly sweet core.

Either suck the flesh directly from the fibres, or use the back of a spoon to scrape the flesh clean. Now enjoy!

The flesh itself has a fairly strong flavour, reminiscent of sweet potato, and would benefit from seasoning with salt or other spices but can be enjoyed neat.

Other Uses
Cattail Rush is a truely versatile plant – the seed head have been collected in the past to made insulating filling for clothing, the leaves are outstanding for use in traditional furniture weaving projects. They are ubiquitous in water ways around the world and it is thought that an acre of cattail rushes has more starch than an acre of potatoes!

By Michael O Cox

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