Cumbungi

Description:

Tall herbaceous reeds, also called Bull Rush, growing beside a creek. this small clump of reed had blackish brown flowers (female) on spikes topped with paler male flowers.

Habitat:

Native to North America, this species is invasive in Australia and considered a noxious weed. Two species of bull rushes are endemic to Tasmania ( T.orientalis, T. domingensis). These can be distinguished from the invasive species by the colour of the female flowers - see reference link

Notes:

All parts of the plant is used as food and some parts for their medicinal value, especially by native American Indians. As the reed absorbs pollutants, reeds growing near polluted water ways are not consumed.