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Typha orientalis - C.Presl.

Common Name Broadleaf Cumbungi
Family Typhaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Ponds and riversides in lowland areas all over Japan[58]. In lakes, ponds, channels, swamps and slowly-moving rivers in northern China[266]
Range E. Asia - China, Japan to Australia.
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Wet Soil Water Plants Full sun
Typha orientalis Broadleaf Cumbungi


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Typha orientalis Broadleaf Cumbungi

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Typha orientalis is a PERENNIAL growing to 3 m (9ft 10in) at a fast rate. It is in flower from May to August, and the seeds ripen from June to September. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers wet soil and can grow in water.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

T. japonica.

Plant Habitats

 Pond; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers  Leaves  Pollen  Root  Seed  Shoots  Stem
Edible Uses:

Roots - raw or cooked[105, 153]. They are usually peeled before use[173]. The roots can be boiled and eaten like potatoes or macerated and then boiled to yield a sweet syrup. They 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 flour is used to make biscuits, bread, cakes etc. The root contains a lot of fibre[193]. One way to remove this fibre is to peel lengths of the root that are about 20 - 25cm long, place them by a fire for a short while to dry and then twist and loosen the fibres when the starch of the root can be shaken out[193]. Young shoots in spring - raw or cooked[105, 173, 178, 193]. An asparagus substitute. Base of mature stem - raw or cooked. It is best to remove the outer part of the stem. Young flowering stem - raw, cooked or made into a soup[105]. Tastes like sweet corn. Seed - cooked. The seed is rather small and fiddly to utilize, but has a pleasant nutty taste when roasted. An edible oil is obtained from the seed. Due to the small size of the seed this is probably not a very worthwhile crop[K]. Pollen - raw or cooked[153, 173]. A protein rich additive to flour used in making bread, porridge etc[183]. It can also be eaten with the young flowers, which makes it considerably easier to utilize. 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[9]. This will help to pollinate the plant and thereby ensure that both pollen and seeds can be harvested[K]. Flowering stem - cooked. Tastes like sweet corn.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anticoagulant  Astringent  Diuretic  Emmenagogue  Galactogogue  Haemostatic  Miscellany  Tonic


The pollen is astringent, diuretic, emmenagogue, galactogogue, haemostatic and [176, 178]. The dried pollen is said to be anticoagulant, but when roasted with charcoal it becomes haemostatic[238]. It is used internally in the treatment of kidney stones, haemorrhage, painful menstruation, abnormal uterine bleeding, post-partum pains, abscesses and cancer of the lymphatic system[222, 238]. It should not be prescribed for pregnant women[238]. Externally, it is used in the treatment of tapeworms, diarrhoea and injuries[238].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

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Other Uses

Biomass  Fibre  Insulation  Miscellany  Paper  Soil stabilization  Stuffing  Thatching  Weaving

The stems have many uses, gathered in the autumn they make a good thatch, can be used in making paper, can be woven into mats, chairs, hats etc[153, 173, 178]. They are a good source of biomass, making an excellent addition to the compost heap or used as a source of fuel etc. A fibre obtained from the leaves can be used for making paper[189] The leaves are harvested in summer, autumn or winter and are soaked in water for 24 hours prior to cooking. The fibres are cooked for 2 hours with soda ash and then beaten in a ball mill for 1½ hours. They make a green or brown paper[189]. A fibre is obtained from the blossom stem and flowers. A fibre obtained from the roots can be used for making string[193]. The hairs of the fruits are used for stuffing pillows etc[173]. They have good insulating and buoyancy properties and have also been used as a wound dressing and a lining for babies nappies.. The stems can be used to make rush lights. The outer skin is removed except for a small strip, or spine, running the entire length to give stability. The stem is then soaked in oil. The pollen is highly inflammable, it is used in making fireworks etc.

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Grow in a rich soil in boggy pond margins or shallow water to 15cm deep[1, 200]. Succeeds in sun or part shade[200]. Plants can be very invasive, spreading freely at the roots when in a suitable site[200]. Provides excellent cover for wildlife.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant 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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Russian Federation (Primorye), China (Anhui Sheng, Zhejiang Sheng, Heilongjiang Sheng, Henan Sheng, Hebei Sheng, Jiangxi Sheng, Jiangsu Sheng, Jilin Sheng, Guangdong Sheng, Liaoning Sheng, Shanxi Sheng, Shaanxi Sheng, Yunnan Sheng, Nei Mongol Zizhiqu), Japan (Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku), Taiwan TROPICAL ASIA: Papua New Guinea, Philippines AUSTRALASIA: Australia (Tasmania, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Northern Territory (north)), New Zealand (Kermadec Islands, North Island, South Island)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

C.Presl.

Botanical References

158266

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

david N   Mon Apr 6 2009

I collected some roots from some plants in soil that had been allowed to dry up (plant raised in a large tub) they were not very impressive, mostly inedible fibre not a lot of flesh, perhaps they need to be in consistently wet or muddy soil.

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