Spring is coming – birds are courting and looking for potential nest sites, acorns are taking root, and the cattails are releasing seed into the wind.

Cattails are one of the most versatile wild plants out there.  Different parts (shoots, roots, flower head, pollen) are edible year-round; the leaves make great basket material, thatch and cordage; and the fluffy seed inside this head is a great fire starter.

Photo credit – Lynn Abbott