Cattail Slowmatch
This page details a method of carrying an ember from one place to another. It uses remnant inflorescences of broad-leaved cattail (Typha latifolia), though any species of cattail would likely work. The fruiting spikes are collected in the fall or winter (those shown in the images were collected in early February in Maine). Note: use your browser's back button after you view an image to return to this page.
The fruiting spikes, when completely dry (as they would be in the winter) are very easy to light. The tip of the spike can placed in a fire or a glowing ember can be placed near the end and blown to produce a new ember on the spike. The spikes will each burn for sometime, those I watched went for more than one hour when not contained too tightly. The spikes will generally smoke a little as they burn (so it is easy to tell when it is still going). When one spike is nearly burned through, simply take a new spike and gently press it against the burning portion of old spike and blow with a light, steady stream of air. This action will force the old spike to glow (raising the temperature of the embers) and ignite the new spike. To start a new fire, use the burning spike as a large ember, placing it in a prepared tinder bundle and blowing it into a flame.
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| broad-leaved cattail during the growing season | burning fruiting spikes | glowing ember of slowmatch | transferring ember from one spike to another | transferred ember now burning on new slowmatch | transferring ember to tinder bundle | ember of tinder bundle glowing and soon to produce flame | tinder bundle in flame and ready to start kindling | cattail slowmatch in a container where it can be carried to a new location |