Bulrush (Schoenoplectus spp.) (original) (raw)

• shoots and lower stalk are edible raw.
• growing tips of rhizome are edible raw.
• dried rhizome can be crushed to remove fibers, ground into flour.
• fresh rhizomes can be boiled into gruel. The gruel can either be dried and ground into flour or used wet in pancakes/breads.
• young rhizomes can be crushed and boiled to make sweet syrup.
• pollen can be pressed into cakes and baked or mixed with other flours.
• seeds are edible raw or parched.
• seeds can be ground into meal.
• sweet dried sap that exudes from the stem can be rolled into balls for storage.
• varieties in the Pacific Northwest are Hard-stemmed bullrush (Schoenoplectus acutus) and Soft-stemmed bullrush (Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani).
• grows in shallow calm water.