FIELD ID CHARACTERISTICS:
This is the tallest cattail species in the state, with lighter green leaves than the other coastal species, Typha angustifolia (narrowleaf cattail). Found only in waters that are somewhat saline or brackish.
Synonym(s): Typha angustata
Description: Tall perennial herb, 2 to 3 m high.
Leaves: Light green leaves arising from the sheathing base. Strap-shaped leaves to 2.5 cm wide and very long, 2 to 2.5 m long.
Flowers/Fruit: Brown, cylindrical terminal spike (female flower) with a gap between female and male flower spike, which is positioned above female spike. Flowers June to July; fruits July to November.
Habit and Range: Brackish to slightly brackish tidal marshes, ditches, and pond/lake margins in the outer Coastal Plain.
COMMON CONFUSIONS:
Typha domingensis (southern cattail) is similar to Typha angustifolia (narrowleaf cattail), but leaves in cross-section are much more convex in T. angustifolia (which is also much shorter). T. domingensis is also similar to T. latifolia (broadleaf cattail) which has bluish-green leaves versus more yellow-green or medium green leaves of T. domingensis. T. domingensis also has a gap between male and female spikes, whereas male flower spike is directly above and touching the female flower spike on T. latifolia. Emerging Typha spp. can be confused with emerging Iris spp., which has leaves arranged more in a fan shape.
Click here to view Typha angustifolia.
Click here to view Typha latifolia.
Click here to view Iris virginica.
Link to side-by-side comparisons page
