Typha Species, Broadleaf Cumbungi, Bulrush, Cattail

Bulrush - or Raupo as we know it in New Zealand - is a wetland plant which grows in large colonies mainly around lakes, drains, swamps, ...Read Moreand streams, the leaves usually growing up to about 3 metres tall. The shorter stalked, cylindrical chocholate brown velvety flowers appear from December to March - the thick bottom part of the flower head being female, and the thin spiky top part being male.
Raupo has the ability to act as a water filter to purifier water.
As well as eating the rhizomes, Maori used dried raupo leaves for weaving, thatching, bedding and for making poi (ball on a string). The pollen was also collected and made into cakes. The raupo habitat also provided a food source, as it was the home of various wetland birds and eels.
The cattails are often used for sealing (caulking) of ships as their honeycomb-like structure is able to absorb moisture. It can be found in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the wider western Pacific.