If you find cattails in a survival situation, rejoice, as you are virtually guaranteed to make it. Cattails grow in wetlands which mean you have a constant water source and probable fish and waterfowl around for gathering, as well. they are also a very good food source.
Cattails grow typically in shallows, around marshes and ponds. They are recognizeable by the tops which resemble a hot dog. You can find somehting edible on these plants, pretty much yuear round. the roots are edible year round, carrying with it much the same nutrients as potatoes. They can also be dried and ground to make flour. The sprng shoots can be peeled and either eaten raw or used as filler in stews or soups. I have had these boiled shoots in stews before and they remind me of asparagus.
The heads can also be eaten, they are best if boiled like corn on the cob. They have their own taste but it is not bad.
Apart from food, cattail stalks and fibers can be used for a numberof things, weaving them together for use in a shelter, for sleeping mats, as well as the dried stalks making a good source of fuel for a fire.
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