FIELD ID CHARACTERISTICS:
Leaves flat or slightly convex near base. Emerging cattail can be confused with emerging iris (Iris spp.), but iris leaves emerge in a fan shape. Cattail leaves emerge in a cylindrical shape.
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), familiar to most people. When present, male flower spike positioned adjacent and above female flower spike on flowering stem. Flowers May to July; fruits June to November.
Habit and Range: Common in freshwater marshes, ditches and ponds. Found statewide, although most common in the Piedmont.
COMMON CONFUSIONS:
Typha latifolia (broadleaf cattail) is similar to Typha angustifolia (narrowleaf cattail) and Typha domingensis (southern cattail), both Coastal Plain species that can tolerate some salinity. Male flower spike is directly above and touching the female flower spike on T. latifolia, whereas T. angustifolia and T. domingensis have a gap between male and female spikes. T. latifolia has wider, bluish-green, less convex leaves and a larger spike than T. angustifolia. 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 domingensis.
Click here to view Iris virginica.
Link to side-by-side comparisons page
