Merrymeeting Community & Adult Education

Cattails (genus Typha) are wetland plants with a unique flowering spike, and flat leaves that reach heights of 3 to 10 feet. They are one of the most common plants in large marshes and on the edge of ponds. Two species are most common in US: broad leaved cattail (T. latifolia) and narrow leaf cattail (T. angustifolia). Cattails are a wonderful plant: beautiful, edible in several forms, and excellent for weaving. Euell Gibbons famously referred to cattails as "the supermarket of the swamp." Cattail leaves can be used for baskets, cordage, sleeping mats, and much more. Learn to identify, gather regeneratively, process, store and weave with cattails. We'll use cattails to weave a sun hat that will be lightweight, comfortable, and a beautiful work of art. You may want to pack a lunch for yourself to eat.