Cat-tails

Cat-tails

Typha species

     Cat-tails are among the most common of all aquatic and wetland plants anywhere. Cat-tails get their name from their brown cylindrical flower spikes which can be more than 1 ft. long. Cat-tails provide protective cover and nesting areas for animals and birds. 

     Stems to 9 ft. tall; leaf blades strap-like, stiff, rounded on back, spiraling in the top half, sheathed together at the base to appear “flattened”; inflorescence spike-like, very densely packed with tiny flowers, male flowers in a top cluster, female flowers in a bottom cluster.