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Scientific Name
Typha domingensis
Family Name
TYPHACEAE
Common Name
Slender Cumbungi
Status
Height
2m
Flowers
Spear-like flower spikes, female flowerhead cinnamon brown.
Fruit
Form
Vigorous perennial aquatic, emergent rush-like leaves 5-15mm wide.
Municipalities
Break O'Day; Brighton; Flinders Island; Glamorgan-Spring Bay; Hobart; Launceston; Northern Midlands; Sorell; West Tamar
Communities
Habitat Notes
Throughout the State in farm dams, creeks, ponds and slow-moving rivers.
Site Tolerance
Frost Tolerance
Moderate
Soil Tolerance
General Notes
Propagation from division or seed, but not recommended for planting as it can take over large dams and wetlands. Identified as having weedy potential by the Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment, although not declared at present. In Victoria, the floury rhizomes of bulrushes traditionally provided a staple food. It was prepared by steaming by the underground stems by the fire for a while, 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, and 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, and are also used for modern day basket weaving. Cumbungi plays an important role in water purification in constructed wetlands. Suitable below powerlines.
Propagation Details
Propagation Calendar
Flowering Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Seed Collecting Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Sowing Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Cutting Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Seed Information
Seed Collection
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
Seed Storage Life
Viable Seeds Per Gram
Seed Treatment Notes
Germination Time
Suitable for Direct Seeding
Cuttings
Expected Time to Take Root
Expected Time to Plant Out
Propagation by Division
N.B. Transplant only from nearby to avoid disease.
Yes
Cutting Notes
Copyright 2000-2009, Understorey Network Incorporated. Updated 2024-11-11
Database development and website design by
Andrew Smith