Typha latifolia
A common plant of wetland habitats
Typha latifolia common cattail
This intriguing marsh plant grows in dense stands, dominating most wetlands. Like in all cattails, the inflorescence consists of female and male portion. In common cattail, these portions are continuous or have a very small gap of a few mm. The tiny pistillate flowers form dense distinctive brown heads at the bottom of the stem. Light yellow-brown staminate flowers form a spike on top of the stem and will wither off once pollen is released. The sword-like leaves may grow up to 9 feet long and are so thick that they hide anyone wading through the wetland.
Habitat & Range
Common in swamps, marshes, wetlands, wet shores and ditches.
Present throughout the state.
| EMP: | OBL |
|---|---|
| NCNE: | OBL |
Phenology
Flowers May through July.
Similar Species
The leaves of common cattail are a little bit more wide than those of narrowleaf cattail.
Common cattail has no or a tiny gap in the inflorescence between female and male flowers, while narrowleaf cattail has a distinct gap.
Plant Codes
S-rank: No rank
G-rank: G5 (Secure)
Faunal Associations
Marsh wrens and red-winged blackbirds nest in the stands. Sandpipers eat the seeds and muskrats and waterfowl feed on the rhizomes.
Typha latifolia common cattail
