64 AUSTRALIAN NATIVE PLANTS. 
204. Typha anoustifolia, Linn., (Syn. T. Brownti, Kunth.; 7. 
latifolia, G. Forst.; TZ. Shuttleworthit, Sond.); N.O., 
Typhacez, B.FI., vii., 159. Muell. Fragm., vii., 116. 
Called “ Bullrush,” and also “ Cat’s Tail” and “ Reed Mace.” It is the 
“‘ Wonga” of the Lower Murray aboriginals. 
The young shoots are edible, and resemble asparagus. The 
root is excellent. The pollen is used as food by the natives of 
Scinde, India, being made into cakes. (Dymock). It is used for 
the same purpose in New Zealand. 
In a paper by Gerard Krefft (Proc. Philos. Soc. N.S.W. 
1862-5) ‘On the Lower Murray Aboriginals,’ the following 
description is given by him of the method of preparing these roots 
for food. He gives the species name as Z: Shuttleworthit, but 
this has been merged in the present species :—‘‘ At a certain 
period, I believe January and February, the women enter the 
swainps, take up the roots of these reeds, and carry them in large 
bundles to their camp. The roots thus collected are twelve to 
eighteen inches in length, and they contain, besides a small 
quantity of saccharine matter, a considerable quantity of fibre. 
The roots are roasted in a hollow made in the ground, and either 
consumed hot or taken asa sort of provision upon hunting ex- 
peditions ; they are at best a miserable apology for flour, and I 
almost believe it was on account of the tough fibre thus obtained 
that these roots were made an artcle of food.” 
This plant is also termed the ‘‘ Asparagus of the Cossacks,” 
the Cossacks of the Don being very fond of it. They prepare it 
like asparagus, and cut it, like the latter, when the young shoots 
are pushing ; the tender blanched part is boiled in water seasoned 
with salt, and served up in the same way as asparagus. The 
various culinary preparations to which asparagus is subjected are 
suitable for Zypha /latvfolia. In collecting it they peel off the 
cuticle, and select the blanched tender part, usually about eighteen 
inches in length, near the root, and this constitutes a dish cool, 
agreeable and wholesome. (Pharm. Fourn., vii., 543). 
For notes on the economic value of this plant, see also Proc. 
R.S. Tasmania, 1882, p- 163. 
