who knew that cattail pollen was edible? i have just happened unexpectedly upon a half-dozen wild-food websites, all breathlessly praising the culinary benefits of cattail pollen, including a recipe for cattail pollen pancakes. i tend to associate pollen with my itchy eyes, but apparently we also have a ready source of wild protein right under (and probably in) our noses.

male cattail flower and pollen

turtle lake, minnesota