USE OF CATTAILS BY NATIVE AMERICANS

THE INDIANS CALLED THIS ROOT THE FLAG TULE. THE ROOTS AND THE BASES OF THE STEMS ARE USED FOR FOOD, AND THE DOWN OF THE FRUITING PART IS USED TO SOME EXTENT FOR BEDS.

CATTAIL IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT TYPES OF FOOD AT DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE YEARS. IT IS USED FOR ROPE, STUFFING PILLOWS, AND STUFFING MATTRESSES. IN THE SPRING THE SHOOTS ARE PEELED TO THE TENDER WHITE CORN, EATEN RAW IN SALADS. THIS CAN BE DONE IN THE LATE FALL, WINTER OR EARLY SPRING.

IN THE FALL THE ROOTSTALKS ARE NUTRITIOUS AS A FLOUR. THEY POUND THE ROOTSTALKS INTO A PAIL OF WATER. ALLOW STARCH TO SETTLE TO THE BOTTOM AND DRAIN THE WATER. THIS FLOUR CAN BE DRIED AND SAVED FOR USE LATER, THE ENLARGED PART OF THE ROOTSTALK CAN BE USED FOR POTATOES.