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The two large "roots" are actually rhizomes with growing tips
that will emerge as new cattail plants. These rhizomes contain
starch that can be recovered by kneading cut sections in
clear, cold water. The starch will flow to the bottom of the
container as a dense milky liquid. The clear water can be
poured off and the starchy liquid dried to yield a fragrant
flour. This process would be difficult to carry out in
primitive winter camping conditions, of course.