Typhaceae: Cattail Family
Narrow-leaved Cattail – Typha angustifolia
Blooms:
May–July
Plant Height:
1.5–3 m
Flower Size:
Large
Origin:
Eurasia
Habitat:
Wet disturbed areas, freshwater and brackish
Notes:
Cattails are unmistakable, with their long, flat leaves. They have long, dense, solid-looking inflorescences, the male flowers below the female. In this species, the leaves are narrow, and the inflorescence is long and slender. Usually, some bare stem is visible between the sections of male and female flowers. Photo #1 by CJH.
Broad-leaved Cattail – Typha latifolia
Blooms:
June–July
Plant Height:
1.5–3 m
Flower Size:
Large
Origin:
Native
Habitat:
Freshwater and brackish ponds and marshes
Notes:
Cattails are unmistakable, with their long, flat leaves. They have long, dense, solid-looking inflorescences, the male flowers below the female. In this species, the leaves are broad, and the inflorescence is comparatively fat. There is no bare stem visible between the male and female flowers.
