Home >> Science & Nature >> Nature

The Advantages of Cattails

Cattails are a common, water-loving plant. They are easily identified by their long, green leaves and sausage-shaped brown flower spikes. Cattails are widespread, growing in North America, Asia, Europe and Africa. However, some species, like the narrow-leaf cattail found in Washington, have been introduced from other countries. While cattail species are often thought of as bothersome invaders, they do have some advantages.

Healthy Lakes
- Cattails grow in areas of seasonal flooding and shallow water and along the banks of larger areas of deep water, like lakes. Cattails and other plants that grow along the shoreline of lakes can help to keep lakes healthy. They filter any runoff before it flows into the lake, reducing lake pollution. Cattails also prevent erosion by protecting the shoreline from waves.
Animal Habitat
- Cattails provide habitat for wildlife and birds species. In the United States, birds such as redwing blackbirds, geese and ducks nest in cattails. Other birds use the fluff from the cattail flowers to line their nests. Cattails also make good screening for bird watchers and duck hunters. Some animals and fish, like muskrats and grass carp, even eat cattails. While large grass carp can be introduced to control the spread of cattail plants, this can have detrimental effects on the water quality, wildlife and fish habitat, according to a June 2000 article in "Ag News and Views," a publication of the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation.
Edibility
- Several parts of the cattail are edible, according to "Ag News and Views." You can collect the corms and young shoots of the plant during fall, winter and early spring, and eat them raw or cook as you would a vegetable. Collect these shoots before they reach 2 feet and peel the shoots before eating them. Green, immature cattail spikes can be collected in late spring and peeled and boiled, to be eaten in a similar manner as corn on the cob. Yellow cattail pollen can be sifted, dried and mixed with other types of flour to make breads and muffins. In late fall, winter and early spring, the rhizomes can be used to make a gluten-rich flour.
Other Uses
- Cattails make good building material. The dried cattail leaf can be woven to make furniture and mats, while the pulp from the cattail can be made into string and paper, reports the state of Washington's Department of Ecology. Long leaves are suitable for rush seating for chairs. The fluff from the seed heads is also used to make bedding, padding and insulation for houses. Down from the female cattail spikes was once used to build floating rafts. Some cultures find medicinal value in the cattail plant, using the roots to treat burns and indigestion.

Nature