The cattail plant has a multitude of uses that date back thousands of years throughout the world in places as diverse as Asia, North America, South America, and Africa. The Typha Latifolia plant, also known as cattail, is a perennial herbaceous wetland plant. Another common name is bulrush. The plant was used by many indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia as a source of medicine, food and materials such as diapers and cradleboard padding.

The rhizomes, or underground stems are edible raw, baked, boiled or roasted. The peeled stems and leaf bases can be eaten raw or cooked. The rootstalks are high in starch and can be used for flour. The young, green flower spikes and young shoots can be eaten roasted or boiled.

The jelly-like substance from the pounded roots can be used to make a poultice for boils, burns, inflammations, and wounds. Cattail leaves can be used for storage bags, mats, and lightweight baskets. The stalks can be used for capes, raincoats, screens, mats and coverings. Cattail “fluff” can be used as fire tinder.