Typha
Typha /ˈtaɪfə/ is a genus of about 30 species of monocotyledonous flowering plants in the family Typhaceae. These plants have a variety of common names, in British English as bulrush or reedmace, in American English as reed, cattail, or punks, in Australia as cumbungi or bulrush, in Canada as bulrush or cattail, and in New Zealand as reed, cattail, bulrush or raupo. Other taxa of plants may be known as bulrush, including some sedges in Scirpus and related genera.
| Typha | |
|---|---|
| Typha latifolia | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Typhaceae |
| Genus: | Typha L. |
| Synonyms | |
| |
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
|---|---|
| Energy | 106 kJ (25 kcal) |
5.14 g | |
| Sugars | 0.22 g |
| Dietary fiber | 4.5 g |
0.00 g | |
1.18 g | |
| Vitamins | Quantity %DV† |
| Vitamin A equiv. | 0% 1 μg0% 6 μg |
| Thiamine (B1) | 2% 0.023 mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 2% 0.025 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 3% 0.440 mg |
| Pantothenic acid (B5) | 5% 0.234 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 9% 0.123 mg |
| Folate (B9) | 1% 3 μg |
| Choline | 5% 23.7 mg |
| Vitamin C | 1% 0.7 mg |
| Vitamin K | 22% 22.8 μg |
| Minerals | Quantity %DV† |
| Calcium | 5% 54 mg |
| Copper | 2% 0.041 mg |
| Iron | 7% 0.91 mg |
| Magnesium | 18% 63 mg |
| Manganese | 36% 0.760 mg |
| Phosphorus | 6% 45 mg |
| Potassium | 10% 309 mg |
| Selenium | 1% 0.6 μg |
| Sodium | 7% 109 mg |
| Zinc | 3% 0.24 mg |
| Other constituents | Quantity |
| Water | 92.65 g |
| |
| †Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA FoodData Central | |
The genus is largely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere, where it is found in a variety of wetland habitats.
The rhizomes are edible, though at least some species are known to accumulate toxins and so must first undergo treatment before being eaten. Evidence of preserved starch grains on grinding stones suggests they were already eaten in Europe 30,000 years ago.