Cattail Typha angustifolia
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- TY-fuh an-gus-tee-FOH-lee-uh
- Description
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Narrow-leaf Cattail is both native and introduced species that grow in brackish and fresh water in marshes and wetlands, spreading by rhizomes and can quickly spread to take over an area. The 3-6 feet tall leaves are 1/4-1/2 inch wide and green. The green flower stem has a brown cylindrical tightly packed cluster of small flowers with female flowers distal and male flowers proximal. There is a space of about 1/2 to several inches between them. They are pollinated by the wind.
They can be grown in 5-gallon buckets for a water garden to keep the spread under control. Cover with up to a foot of water in full sun to partial shade.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Typha
- Species:
- angustifolia
- Family:
- Typhaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Native Americans used the plant for baskets, tule boats and bedding
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North America, Europe, northern and central Asia, northern Afric
- Distribution:
- Fresh or brackish marshes, shallow water of rivers, lakes, ponds
- Wildlife Value:
- Geese and muskrats prefer the stems and roots. Moose and elk eat fresh spring shoots. Shelter and nesting cover are provided for long-billed marsh wrens, redwing blackbirds, and yellow-headed blackbirds.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Food Source
- Edibility:
- All parts are edible when gathered at the appropriate stage.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 7 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Water Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Occasional Flooding
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Female flowers followed by achenes
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- > 6 inches
- Flower Description:
- 6-8 in. compact, cylindrical brown cattail composed of hundreds of minute flowers with staminate flowers above and pistillate flowers below. There is a dividing line between the two of 1/2 inch or more.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Tall narrow stiff green leaves arise from a vegetative shoot at the base of the plant. Venation is parallel and the base is sheathed. The outside of the leaf is convex while the inner is flat to slightly concave.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Stout green smooth round stem
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Landscape Theme:
- Water Garden
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Weedy
