Typha latifolia - common cattail

Family: Typhaceae
Wetland Indictor Status: OBL


General Species Description

Typha latifolia is a mash or aquatic herbaceous perennial, which grows 1-3m tall. The stems are pithy and the plant grows from rhizomes.


Leaves

Sheathing, flat (convex on outer surface), 8-20 mm broad, 1.5 m long, with a bluish green cast, somewhat spongy and alternate in arrangement.


Inflorescence/Flowers

The inflorescence is in a spike that has male flowers above and female flowers directly below, both of which are very small. The female flowers turn dark brown with maturity and are persistent and the male flowers shed leaving a bare stem tip. Blooms from June through July.


Fruits

Small nutlets about 1mm long, with numerous long hairs at the base that carry them in the wind at maturity.


Habitat

Found in fresh water aquatic or marsh like areas. Commonly produces single species stands.


Range

This plant can be found in all counties in northwestern Oregon. Also grows as far north and south as Alaska and Mexico, and throughout the United States.


Similar Species

If no flowers are present this species could be confused with Iris psuedacoras. Although the Iris has a flattened leaf sheath, and leaf tips that are more rounded. The flower of Iris yellow.


Ecological Value

Typha latifolia provides important habitat and food for wetland animals, including waterfowl and muskrats.


Human Value

Many coastal tribes used the leaves of Typha latifolia for weaving mats, and as insulation for their winter homes. The seed fluff was used for such things as pillow and diaper stuffing and wound dressing.


References

Cooke, Sarah. 1997. Wetland Plants of Western Washington and Northwestern Oregon. Seattle Audubon Society, Seattle, Washington.

Gilkry, H.M., L.J. Dennis. 1967. Handbook of Northwestern Plants. Oregon State University Bookstores, Corvalis, Oregon.

Pojar, J, and A. Mckinnon. 1194. Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast. B.C. Ministry of Forests and Lone Pine Publishing.


This page was created by: Aaron Nepple, August 2000


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