Cattail (Typha)

Where?

Cattails are an typical aquatic and marsh plant that can develop very dense stands in wetlands. They usually settle on the banks of water bodies, in marshes and swamps on moist to wet sites.

Appearance?

Are deciduous perennial plants that have alternate leaves on stems that are always hairless. The leaves grow stiffly erect and can reach a length of up to 4 meters. They are grass-like in shape and consist of a spongy compressible webbing. The leaf blades are curved outward to form a semicircular cross-section. The total inflorescence consists of a thicker (all-female) and an above all-male subinflorescence. The inflorescences are cylindrical to spherical in shape with very dense flowers. The flowering period is from May to August.

Special Features?

Typha species are distributed worldwide and consist of up to 40 different species.