Bulrushes are perennial, large (up to 2.2 m in height) herbaceous plants of the cattail family, which can be found on overgrown lake and river embankments, ponds, ditches, bog edges, often forming dense stands. The species is widespread throughout the world. Bulrush rhizomes contain starch, protein, as well as tannings, sugar, oxalic acid calcium and vegetable fats. In ancient times, people made flour from them or ate in a baked form, new cobs, which resemble asparagus in taste, were also used in food. Flour from bulrush rhizomes began to be made 30 thousand years ago, much earlier than from cereals. A coffee substitute was made from dried and chopped bulrush rhizomes. Bulrush is also used to produce low quality paper.