There are some poisonous look-alikes that may be mistaken for cattail, but none of these look-alikes possess the brown seed head. However, due to its medicinal and utilitarian uses, we may want to mentally modify the title to “Super Wal-Mart of the Swamp.” IdentificationĬattails are readily identified by the characteristic brown seed head. In Euell Gibbons’ Stalking the Wild Asparagus, his chapter on cattails is titled “Supermarket of the Swamp.” As you will see, this title aptly applies to the cattail.
Just about any place you can find year-round standing water or wet soil, you can usually find cattails. However, of more than 1300 wild grasses, none holds a loftier position as a survival food than cattail. Of the 15 most commonly consumed domesticated plant foods, 10 are grasses. Cattail is a member of the grass family, Gramineae, as are rice, corn, wheat, oats, barley, and rye, just to mention a few. While living in Northern Japan, I spent many chilly mornings in snow storms among miles of cattails while duck hunting. The Common Cattail (Typha latifolia) and its brethren Narrowleaf Cattail (Typha angustifolia), Southern Cattail (Typha domingensis), and Blue Cattail (Typha Glauca), have representatives found throughout North America and most of the world.
What other plant can boast eight food products, three medicinals, and at least 12 other functional uses? It is a four-season food, medicinal, and utility plant.
This wonderful plant is a virtual gold mine of survival utility. I can think of no other North American plant that is more useful than the cattail.
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