Grass gathering

Many types of wild plants, typical of the wetlands, have been gathered since Medieval times.

These plants were used for rearing cattle as well as for making articles for domestic use..

Bulrushes ("Cat's-tail" or "reed-mace"), wicker and sweet acacia were used for covering flasks and demijohns.

Mats were made out of straw and canes, sedge was plaited for braids and used to cane chairs, and many different sorts of plants were used for basket-making.

Some plants were used as building material: in the Fucecchio Marshes, club-rush was used to thatch the local buildings.