An erect aquatic freshwater perennial in the cat-tail family (Typhaceae) growing 3 to 6 feet tall. Long linear leaves emerge in spring. Leaves are 2 to 5 feet long, very narrow, and flattened. Flowers mature in mid summer and are comprised of velvety brown, cigar-shaped spikes 2 to 6 inches long with a gap between the male and female flowers (common cattail Typha latifolia has no gap). The male flowers are produced above the female spike, which forms a thick brown dense mass, later breaking up and allowing the fruits to disperse by wind. One plant can produce approximately 250,000 soft downy seeds in the fall. Seeds can remain viable in the seed-bank for up to 100 years. It reproduces by seeds and by thick, rapidly spreading, lateral rhizomes.
Habitat: It is located in wetlands, lakeshores, river backwaters, road sides, ditches, disturbed wet areas, bogs, fresh or brackish marshes, lakes, and ponds. It can thrive in nutrient rich or slightly saline soils. It is generally not shade tolerant. |
