Yep. And without the oil, the dried-out flower heads will burn slowly, like a punk, creating a smoke that is supposed to drive insects away. I've never tried it.

The dried leaves can be twisted and woven to make baskets and backing for chairs. Archaeologists have found woven cattail floor mats in caves in Nevada that were over 10,000 years old.

Native Americans also used the "jelly" from between the young leaves as a poultice for wounds, sores, and boils, to relieve pain. Again, I've never tried it.

Onward and upward,
airforce