planting a seasonal flood plain

a couple/ few times a year, our forest river floods an area dumping all kinds of yummy run-off goodness and sand, which is a treat in this land of clay. I've seen 100 year old whole oaks go screaming by, so the current is pretty strong. What could I plant on the river's edge that would not get creamed in these floods. They happen mainly in the spring, but with the past couple day's 5" and counting, it may happen at any time. Within a couple days of the rains stopping it quickly returns to normal.
During the late summer common drought, this area is a few feet above the river's water.
thanks
Marianne

If the area gets good shade, I would try 'ramps' (wild leeks).
Since much of it is underground, it might withstand the surface flow.

Root crops should be better adapted than leaf crops.

Good luck.

I have no personal experience with this but investigate with Japanese vegetables like fuki or wasabi. There are chilean trees which like to grow in similar situations look in chileflora.

The haskap bush was initially a plant that grew near river banks and marshlands. The flowers are very frost resistant. It looks and tastes sort of like a blue berry but with a hint of raspberry in it. I'd try it.

If the water moves violently across the landscape I would forgo the edible angle and just go straight to poplar, aspen, alder, green or black ash and willow to control erosion. Cat tails are a mixed blessing but could prove useful as a filtering plant.

Collin Wolfe wrote:Cat tails are a mixed blessing

Edible! http://www.eattheweeds.com/cattails-a-survival-dinner/