Łódź, Botanical Garden

Native to Middle East and Europe, spread worldwide. Edible plant - roots raw or cooked like potatoes, they contain up to 5% of sugar; young shoots raw or cooked; the partly unfolded leaves can be used as a potherb; a powder extracted from the dried stems can be moistened and roasted like marshmallow. Herbal plant - leaves are used in the treatment of bronchitis and cholera, the ash of the leaves is applied to foul sores; a decoction of the flowers is used in the treatment of cholera and food poisoning, the ashes are styptic; the root is antiasthmatic, antiemetic, antipyretic, antitussive, depurative, diuretic, febrifuge, lithontripic, sedative, sialogogue and stomachic; externally, it is mixed with gypsum and used to treat halitosis and toothache. Useful plant - the stems are useful in the production of homogeneous boards, can also be processed into a fine fibrous material suitable as a filler in upholstery, they are also used for thatching roofs; the leaves are used in basket making and for weaving mats; the plant has a very vigorous and running rootstock, it is useful for binding the soil along the sides of streams.