As you might guess, it provides great cover for a variety of wildlife, particularly birds. Grackles, redwinged blackbirds, bitterns and green herons are often seen at Green Cay taking refuge within its masses. The seeds are the food of choice for a large selection ducks, including teals and scaups, rails, and more. Geese and other birds dine on the shoots and roots.
Giant bulrush stabilizes banks and provides erosion control in places where land and water meet. The density of the growth can knock down wave action from open water, further protecting the land. Giant bulrush is sold commercially, both plants and seeds.
Beyond the landscape, giant bulrush might have more uses than the Swiss army knife of plants, the cattail. It's said to taste better than cattails. The young shoots can been eaten raw or cooked. The pollen can be used as flour. The seeds can be used as flour. The rhizomes can be dried and used as flour. The rhizomes can be eaten raw or cooked. They've also been used as a decorative element in baskets.
The plant itself has been used with willow poles to make houses, matting, bedding, diapers and menstrual pads, clothing, duck decoys, canoes and mud shoes. Yes, mud shoes.
Other common names include California bulrush, bulwhip, giant rush, tule and black root. An alternate scientific name: Scirpus californicus. It is a member of Cyperaceae, the sedge family.
