Elephant grass, Indian reed-mace
Typha elephantina

Family: Typhaceae

What it is like

A herb. It is a reed like plant. It keeps growing from year to year. It is 1.5-4 m tall. The leaves are narrow. The leaf sheath is angular and keeled. The leaf blade is 25-40 mm wide. The male and female parts of the flower are separate.

There are 10 Typha species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows on the Deccan in India. It grows on the edge of water. It grows in the Sahara and the Sahel. It can grow in salty soils. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Algeria, Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Central Africa, Central Asia, Chad, China, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Europe, Himalayas, India, Iran, Israel, Mali, Mauritania, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, North Africa, Northeastern India, Pakistan, Sahel, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Senegal, Spain, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, West Africa, Yemen

How it is used for food

The young shoots are eaten. The starchy rhizome is eaten. The pollen is eaten. It is used for a kind of bread.

Edible parts

Rhizome, leaves, flowers, pollen, stems, roots, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Anaikkorai, Anaippul, Apu, Berdi, Boj, Bora, Bori, Chamba, Dib, Eenugajammu, Eraka, Ghabajarin, Gond, Googol bon, Gundra, Hagla, Hogla, Jambuhallu, Kundar, Lukh, Mothitrina, Patira, Pitz, Pun, Rambdna, Sako, Shin-mwe-lon, Yira

Synonyms

Typha elephantina var. schimperi (Rohrb.) Graebn.; Typha angustifolia Watt. non Linn.; Typha maresii Batt.; Typha schimperi Rohrb.;