Scientific Name: Typha domingensis
Common Name: slender cumbungi
Family Classification (Clade): Monocots
Family: Typhaceae
Form Description: Vigorous perennial aquatic, emergent rush-like leaves 5-15mm wide.
Flowers: Spear-like flower spikes, female flower head cinnamon brown.
Municipality
Plant Communities
Habitat Notes
Throughout the State in farm dams, creeks, ponds and slow-moving rivers.
Frost Tolerance
Moderate
General Notes
Not recommended for planting as it can take over large dams and wetlands. Identified as having weedy potential by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, although not declared at present. In Victoria, the floury rhizomes of bulrushes traditionally provided a staple food. Prepared by steaming by the underground stems by the fire, peeling off the outer rind, and tying the fibres into a knot which was chewed on until all the starch was removed. The young succulent leaf bases were also eaten, and tasted similar to peas. The leftover fibres were softened by soaking, rolled on the thigh to form a strong, durable and rot-resistant string, and made into large fishing nets up to 180m in length. Bulrushes are said to have anti-bacterial properties; used for contemporary basket weaving. Cumbungi plays an important role in water purification in constructed wetlands.
Propagation Calendar
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Flowering Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec -
Seed Collecting Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec -
Sowing Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec -
Cutting Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
Seed Information
Seed Collection
Propagated from seed. Contained in old flower spike, each of which can contain up to 200,000 seeds with high viability. Seed released within 3-14 days of seed maturity.
Seed Treatment Method
Bog Method The seeds of many wetland species need to be kept wet to germinate. Punch a hole in the side of a recycled polyfoam box so that it holds water to the required depth. Sit the tubes in the box to germinate. Once germinated, punch holes in the bottom of the box to allow drainage.
Cutting & Division Information
Propagated by division.