Bulrush
Can be found growing along the edges of lagoons and waterways in the northern half of Australia. From October to January new shoots emerge from the base. The soft white part of this shoot is edible. In April and May the shoots produce a yellow pollen which was shaken and collected to make flour.
The brown and white fluff from the flowering spike can be used to dress wounds and the watery sap has been used as protection against leeches.