Common Name: Small Reed Mace

General Information

Typha angustifolia is a very vigorous, herbaceous perennial plant. Growing from a fast-spreading rhizomatous rootstock, it forms a colony of unbranched leafy stems 150 - 300cm tall. In suitable environments, the plant can form large almost monospecific stands[].
This species has a very wide range of traditional and modern uses. Most parts of the plant have been used for food, it has various medicinal applications and supplies material for many purposes such as for insulation, thatching and weaving. It is also an excellent protector of the soil in wet habitats and a very productive source of biomass. It is also planted to provide wildlife habitats and for wetland restoration It is grown as an ornamental, though it needs to be restrained at the roots in all but the largest areas[].
This is a widespread aquatic plant which faces no major threats. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].
Typha angustifolia is a very invasive plant spreading freely at the roots when in a suitable site. This is fine when growing in its native habitat, but the plant can become a serious weeds in managed aquatic systems worldwide, where it can invade canals, ditches, reservoirs, cultivated fields, and farm ponds; it can be a nuisance in recreational lakes; and can reduce biodiversity and displace species more desirable for certain kinds of wildlife[]. It should be introduced to areas outside its native range only with the greatest care, and perhaps not at all[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

Eurasia - Norway to Portugal, east to Japan, Korea, Myanmar; N. Africa - Morocco, Algeria; N. America - British Colombia to Nova Scotia and southwards

Habitat

Water up to 15cm deep, avoiding acid conditions[]. Often somewhat brackish or subsaline water or wet soil, growing from sea level to elevations of 1,900 metres[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	2.50 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A very easily grown plant, succeeding in boggy pond margins or in shallow water up to 15cm deep[]. It requires a rich soil if it is to do well[]. Succeeds in sun or part shade.
The rhizomes of the vigorous species of Typha contain around 30% - 46% starch. The core of these rhizomes can be ground into a flour. One hectare of plants would yield about 7 tonnes of flour per year. This flour would probably contain about 80 % carbohydrates and around 6% - 8% protein. Since these species occur around the world, the plants are a potential source of food for the world’s' population[].
A very invasive plant spreading freely at the roots when in a suitable site, it is not suitable for growing in small areas.
Seedlings rapidly form clones by means of rhizomes in their first season, flower the second season, and often form very large, persistent, often monospecific stands[].
Unless restrained by some means, such as a large bottomless container, the plant will soon completely take over a site and will grow into the pond, gradually filling it in. It will often form an almost complete monoculture in boggy soil.
The dense growth provides excellent cover for water fowl[].

Edible Uses

Rhizomes - raw or cooked[, , , ]. A sweet flavour[]. Rich in starch, around 30 - 46%, they can be boiled and eaten like potatoes or macerated and then boiled to yield a sweet syrup[]. The rhizome can also be dried, ground into a powder and then used as a thickener in soups etc or added to cereal flours[]. Rich in protein, this powder is used to make biscuits etc[].
The rhizomes at the base of erect shoots are mostly horizontal, unbranched, up to 70 cm long and 5 - 40mm in diameter. They are starchy, firm and scaly[]..

Young shoots in spring - raw or cooked[, , , , ]. An asparagus substitute[]. The young shoots are cut from the underground stems in the spring when they are about 10 - 40cm long[].

Base of mature stem - raw or cooked[]. It is best to remove the outer part of the stem[]. The base of the stem where it attaches to the rhizome can be boiled or roasted like potatoes[].

Young flowering stem - raw, cooked or made into a soup[, , ]. It tastes like sweet corn.

Seed - cooked[]. The seed is very small and fiddly to harvest, but it has a pleasant nutty taste when roasted[].

An edible oil is obtained from the seed[]. The seeds contain about 18 - 20% oil, of which69% is linolenic acid[]. Due to the small size of the seed this is probably not a very worthwhile crop.

Pollen - raw or cooked. A protein rich additive to flour used in making bread, porridge etc[, , ]. It can also be eaten with the young flowers[], which makes it considerably easier to utilize[]. The pollen is a bright yellow or green colour, and turns pancakes, cookies or biscuits a pretty yellow colour[].
The pollen can be harvested by placing the flowering stem over a wide but shallow container and then gently tapping the stem and brushing the pollen off with a fine brush[]. This will also help to pollinate the plant and thereby ensure that both pollen and seeds can be harvested[].

Medicinal

The pollen is diuretic, emmenagogue and haemostatic[]. The dried pollen is said to be anticoagulant, but when roasted with charcoal it becomes haemostatic[]. It is used internally in the treatment of kidney stones, internal haemorrhage of almost any kind, painful menstruation, abnormal uterine bleeding, post-partum pains, abscesses and cancer of the lymphatic system[, , ]. It should not be prescribed for pregnant women[].
Externally, it is used in the treatment of tapeworms, diarrhoea and injuries[].

The hairs on the fruiting spikes is used for dressing burns[].

An infusion of the root has been used in the treatment of gravel[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant's extensive root system makes it very good for stabilizing wet banks of rivers, lakes etc[].
It can be grown in reed beds and other water purification systems in order to remove various kinds of pollutants from the water and soil. The top growth is removed once or twice during the growing season - it can either be used as a fuel or the materials recovered from it[].

Other Uses

The stems and leaves have many uses, they make a good thatch, being used on roofs, to make walls and floor coverings[, , , , , ].
They can be used in weaving to make items such as mats, chairs, hats and other handicrafts[, , , , , ].
They can be used as a caulking material for barrels, boats etc[].

A fibre obtained from the leaves and stems can be used in making paper[, , , , ].

The plant produces large amounts of biomass, comparable to the most productive agricultural crops.This is a potential source of energy - it can, for example, be used for alcohol manufacture[]. On a domestic level, the stems make an excellent addition to the compost heap or can be dried and used as a source of fuel etc.

The hairs of the fruits are used as a stuffing material for pillows, mattresses, toys etc[, , ]. They have good buoyancy properties and have been used in life preservers. They also have excellent insulation properties and have been used in construction[, ].

The female flowers make an excellent tinder and can be lit from the spark of a flint[].

The pollen is highly inflammable and is used in making fireworks[].

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in a pot and stand it in 3cm of water. Pot up the young seedlings as soon as possible and, as the plants develop, increase the depth of water. Plant out in summer.
Division in spring. Very easy, harvest the young shoots when they are about 10 - 30cm tall, making sure there is at least some root attached, and plant them out into their permanent positions.