Typha angustifolia L. - Narrow-leaved Cattail


 

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Typha angustifolia - (image 1 of 1)

 

Taxonomy

Family: Typhaceae

Habitat

Marshes, ditches. More tolerant of alkaline or halophytic conditions than T. latifolia

Associates

 

 Distribution

Nearly cosmopolitan. Formerly more common along the coast but has become more widespread inland.

Morphology

Rhizomatous perennial to 1.5 m. Leaves flat, 5-11 mm wide, auriculate at the junction of the sheath and the blade. Pistillate and staminate portion of the spike separated by 2-12 cm, the pistillate portion deep brown, 10-20 cm long and 1-2 cm thick at maturity; stigmas linear; pistillate bracteoles distally rounded; pollen in monads.

Notes

Flowers early June to mid July

Wetland indicator: Obligate

This species tends to be more invasive than T. latifolia, although both will form monotypic stands under the right conditions. The spread of T. angustifolia inland may be currently facilitated by the use of road salt.

References

Gleason, Henry A. and A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. Second Ed.

The New York Botanical Garden. Bronx, NY

 

Swink, F. and G. Wilhelm. 1994. Plants of the Chicago Region.
Indiana Academy of Science. The Morton Arboretum. Lisle, Illinois.

 


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 Michael Hough © 2005