Dried typha

Typha is the Latin name for bulrush, which grows on the banks of water bodies and is found almost all over the world, in both temperate and tropical climates. Interestingly, typha is considered one of the most important survival plants - all its parts are edible.

Typha

The common bulrush (Typha) is a species belonging to the bulrush family. The plant is found on all continents except Antarctica, although it is an introduced species in Australia. It is most commonly found growing wild, although due to the growing popularity of ponds, cattail is increasingly being cultivated in gardens. Its characteristic inflorescences look wonderful in floral arrangements, which makes them highly valued by florists. In addition to its aesthetic qualities, cattail also has practical uses.

What does typha look like?

Typha has a weakly branched creeping rhizome from which leaves and straight, stiff flower stems grow, reaching a height of 1-2.5 m. The flowers of the plant are small but form impressive cylindrical inflorescences. Initially green in colour, they later turn brown. The plant blooms from June to August. After the seeds have developed, fluff spills out of the cattails, whose task is to spread them. For this reason, only immature cobs are used for drying. The leaves of the bulrush are equilateral and sword-shaped. They are dark green in colour.

Typha in natural conditions and cultivation

In its wild form, typha occurs in both warm and temperate climates. It is found in lowland and mountainous areas. It grows on the banks of water bodies – lakes, ponds and rivers. It is also found in drainage ditches and peat pits. Typha grows best in muddy soil rich in dead organic matter. It is resistant to temporary drought. It disappears when the land is drained. The plant forms dense thickets that trap organic debris. For this reason, it contributes to the overgrowth of water reservoirs. It is considered an invasive species that spreads rapidly under favourable conditions.

Although until recently typha was found almost exclusively in the wild, today it can be seen more and more often in gardens. This is due to the growing popularity of ponds. Typha is ideal for coastal areas. It grows best in sunny locations, although it also tolerates slight shade. However, a prerequisite for the plant's development is fairly fertile and constantly moist soil. Typha is frost-resistant and does not require covering for the winter. However, it is important to remember not to plant it next to weaker species. The plant is expansive and can drown them out. It is suitable for naturalistic and rustic gardens, although it will also work well in modern spaces.

Use of typha 

Just a few decades ago, typha were valued for their many practical uses. First and foremost, they were a source of food. Since all parts of the plant are edible, they are still valued by survival enthusiasts today. In turn, typha down was used years ago to stuff pillows – it was a cheaper and easily available alternative to goose and duck down. The shoots and leaves of the plant were used to weave so-called rush mats, i.e. rugs or bags.

Currently, typha is valued primarily as an ornamental plant – both cut and dried. In the latter version, it creates striking combinations with many types of dried flowers. It can be combined with grains and grasses – especially pampas grass, ruscus, and chasmanthium. It creates an interesting combination with yellow dried flowers, such as sanfordii or achillea. It can also be added to bouquets with avena or dried linum. It is worth noting that typha looks beautiful on its own – placed in a simple glass vase. In this setting, it will be a beautiful complement to a modern arrangement.

Dried typha at Blosmi

Blosmi offers two types of typha – the large one has thick stems, while the small one has narrower inflorescences. The former is available in bundles of 10 shoots, the latter in bunches of approx. 20 twigs. The shoots are approx. 65 cm tall. All plants are carefully packed and secured for transport.