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Narrow Leaved Cattail Typha angustifolia

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
TY-fuh an-gus-tee-FOH-lee-uh
Description

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:
Tags:
#water garden#pond garden#marshes#brackish water tolerant#container plant#perennial#weed#hs303
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#water garden#pond garden#marshes#brackish water tolerant#container plant#perennial#weed#hs303
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Water Plant
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Description:
    Female flowers followed by achenes
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Container
    Naturalized Area
    Pond
    Landscape Theme:
    Water Garden
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wet Soil
    Problems:
    Weedy