Cattails

theonew

theonew

Joined
May 16, 2006
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Here's a wild edible that I have seen a million times but can't recall ever having eaten.

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Cattails are super easy to identify, especially when last years seed heads are still there. I cut a few stalks today to eat and add to my ramen noodle lunch.

I peeled and cut them into rings.
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They have a very mild taste, even milder than a cucumber, but have a fantastic crunchy texture. They were great to eat raw but I boiled some with my noodles and was surprised to find that even after being boiled for a few minutes they were still crunchy.

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Not a bad wild edible at all, they'd be great in a stir-fry.

This is where I ate lunch.

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View from the top

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I doubt it ever got over 60 degrees, which is great weather for some dog romping.

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I think I used to know what this plant is, but no longer do :o
Anyone know?

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The inner fluff of the catkins can be ground and used as a thickener for stews which the shoots would go well with along with some wild carrots, wild onions, and some rabbit.
 
I've got plenty of cattails around me, I was planning on picking a few up next weekend at the park. This got me in the mood to want to do it even more!
 
Hey Theo,

Nice pictures and nice looking lunch.

I'm not sure about the flowers, but I'm guessing Pale Corydalis (Corydalis sempervirens). Maybe you can check it up close with your wildflower guide and let us know?

Doc
 
Hey Theo - thanks for sharing. I was also out and about yesterday and saw a bunch of catails and was thinking about the uses for them.

What portion of the plant do you eat? Is it the portion in the ground? Close to the fuzzy stuff?
 
Theo,
I would agree with Doc Canada. I believe it is the Pale Corydalis. We always called it the Pink Corydalis. I was always led to believe that it was poisonous but I have never found any info to the contrary.
Are you coming up for PEACE next weekend?
Marty Simon
 
Thanks for the pics. :thumbup:

EDIT: Checked Doc's guess on the flower. I'm retracting my guess. ( I should know better than to question the Doc :p)

cs
 
Looks great, I'm going to try that some time. I've only ever heard of folks digging up the tubers and grinding them up like a flour. Nice dog romping shots too.
 
Great Pics Theo!

Is that the same spot you took us too?

And I 2nd Marty's question about Peace.
 
Wow, good eyes, thanks Doc and Marty, after looking at a bunch of pics, Pale Corydalis it is.

From this website
"The Corydalis plants contain a narcotic alkaloid and should be avoided as an edible or medicinal plant by the lay person. They have been used in history as an analgesic, sedative, antispasmodic and the plant does have hallucinogenic properties that will slow the heart rate and dilate the bronchials. Some varieties of Corydalis have been used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Extreme caution should be applied to the consumption of this plant and is not recommended."

No wonder driving home was so hard :eek: (j/k) :D

I'm really hoping to make it up to Peace, it's just still up in the air, since it's not clear whether or not my wife needs to use the car for a job that weekend. I know it will be a great time, and wish everyone the best. I really hope to see you all up there :thumbup:
 
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Great post! I've eaten the roots before (very nice by the way) but never tried the stalks as is it was too late in the season. I'm definitely going to give it a go this spring though. Cheers!
 
myright said:
What portion of the plant do you eat? Is it the portion in the ground? Close to the fuzzy stuff?
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The shoots are best closest to the ground, where when peeled they are whiter, the farther up you go, as they become greener, they become chewier and much less palatable. From what I've read, they are much better tasting when young in the spring. But the whole plant, as others have mentioned, is useful, throughout the seasons.
 
tonym said:
Is that the same spot you took us too?
Click to expand...

Nope, the trails were really crowded, so I spent most of the day bushwhacking. This spot is a fairly steep climb off trail and is one of the second highest peaks in Harriman.
 
good stuff.... I just got back from doin some shootin, and was lookin at the cattails on my buddies property. They were growin from his septic lagoon though...Im not man enough to eat those!!!!:barf:

He does have some by his pond, so next time we are out wettin a line, Im gonna harvest a few....:thumbup:
 
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