Cat O’ Nine Tails

"No green plant produces more edible starch per acre than the Cat O’ Nine Tails; not potatoes, rice, taros or yams. Plans were underway to feed American soldiers with that starch when WWII stopped. One acre of cattails can produce 6,475 pounds of flour per year on average.
It is said that if a lost person has found cattails, they have four of the five things they need to survive: Water, food, shelter and a source of fuel for heat—the dry old stalks. The one item missing is companionship.
They are native to both North America and Europe. In Europe cattails are called bulrushes or greater reed mace.
The end of season fluffy “tails” make excellent tinder and the Native Americans used them for insulation, mattresses and absorption."

I have seen these plants my entire life but this was the first I ever recall seeing the "fluffy tails."
My Dad used to talk about using them like torches when he would night fish but I never knew they were so versatile - they are even listed in the Naval Survival Guide.
Amazing plant.