Reedmace versus Bulrush

Reedmace Typha latifolia (Fr. Massette) is the plant with the brown cylindrical seedheads that grows on the edge of ponds. It is called Cattail in North America, Cumbungi in Australia, and often, everywhere, now called Bulrush. But it is a reed, not a rush. Rushes are a different family.

 

Reedmace on the village pond (Fr. plan d'eau) in Preuilly.

 The 'bul' of Bulrush means 'big', and true bulrush is exactly that -- a gigantic rush.

 

 Bulrush on the edge of the étang (dam) at le Louroux. This is a nature reserve.

The confusion started in the 19th century, with  mass produced illustrated Bibles. For some reason Moses was depicted amongst the reedmace. Ironically, the plant the illustrators should have been depicting was actually a Papyrus.

 

 Reedmace.

In prehistoric times the rhizomes of Reedmace were eaten, in hunter-gatherer societies over 30 000 years ago. The plant was abundant and full of starch. In the 19th century there are accounts of it being used as low quality forage for horses in France, and pigs apparently adored the rhizomes. The leaves could also be dried and woven as chair seats. In modern times they are sometimes grown in natural water purification systems and the plant can be seen on the edges of many fresh water ponds. 

 

 A variety of plants, including both bulrush (left) and reedmace (right), in a phytopurification water filtration station at the Moulin de Malicorne (a private home).

Bulrush Schoenoplectus lacustris (Fr. Jonc des chaisiers) was once abundant and much valued as the raw material for cords, woven or plaited mats, wall coverings and chair seats. Harvesting the plants, processing and transforming them was an important artisanal skill. Nowadays, those skills are lost and the plant is rare. Where it is present it is generally protected.  

 

 Rush matting at the Chateau d'Azay le Rideau.

Today the buzz word you will see associated with bulrushes is 'paludiculture'. That's when peat wetland is used as a cultivated carbon sink. Drones are used to distribute the seed of reedmace, bulrush and other plants that can be used commercially if peatbog is exploited. The fluffy reedmace seed heads are harvested to be used as insulation in 'down' jackets, and the bulrush is being used in construction materials. Unfortunately both plants are being referred to by journalists as 'bulrush' so it can be confusing.

 

 Bulrush on the edge of an étang at Chambon, on a ZNIEFF (site of special scientific interest).