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Questions and Answers: 2021

Question: Hello, Do you know anything about the edibility of the various species that make up the genus Scirpus? While there …

• Question

  Hello, Do you know anything about the edibility of the various species that make up the genus Scirpus? While there seems to be a bit of information available about Scirpus microcarpus, there is little I can find about the others. Thank you.

  Answer

  Dear ljalos, good morning to you. Most of the species of Scirpus (bulrush) have such tiny fruits (the achenes) that the efficiency of processing such fruits means Indigenous Peoples often have selected for other plants that were in season at the same time. This appears not to be an issue of edibility (or toxicity) but of time spent vs. calories retrieved. Some related genera, Like Bolboschoenus and Schoenoplectus have larger fruits and there is more information on their use as food. Best wishes.