Bulrush

[Zammo]

There are quite a few Bulrushes’ near where I live and I was thinking of harvesting a few for tinder and also eating. However I'm not to sure if there are different variety's that may be poisoness and also the best way to prepare them to eat?

Heres is a photo of the ones I found:

 

[xylaria]

Bulrushes aren't poisonous, the roots are a bit too stringy this time of year, you can eat the shoots as well. There is a similarity with irises which at moment have bright yellow or blue flowers. The roots of iris are knobbly and stink of pig poo when cooked, they make a purple die.

The main danger from bulrushes is that they absorb pollution from water very easily. They are used as toxic sponges in the wirral to soak up dioxin and heavy metals. Personally I like to know what the industrial history of the area I pick them from and the natural history of the water course that feeds them.

 

[falling rain]

Iris and cattail can easily be confused. I was told a story once that a Polish survival instructor made a fatal error mixing up Iris and Cattail. Iris is 'diamond' shape in cross section and cattail is 'crescent' shaped. I think I've got that the right way round.
Anyway you know the routine...........make 100% sure before you ingest anything.

The picture of the chicken of the woods on the BCUK homepage is one I found in Wales. It was a beauty and in perfect condition but I didn't trust myself to eat it in case there was some kind of 'Fools chicken of the woods' or 'false chicken of the woods' I'm miffed with myself to this day that I didn't take some to eat because I know now that it was the real McCoy but I wasn't 100% sure at the time. I've never seen such a perfect specimen (so to speak) before or since............... Oh well next time maybe.