Broadleaf Cattail (Typha latifolia)
| Plant: Perennial herb that have erect, nonbranched stems 3 to 7 1/2
feet tall. Found at the edge of fresh water ponds and in marshes.
It has large air filled cells that provide oxygen to submerged portions
of the plant. |
 |
| Flowers: Tiny, numerous, that form a spike. The dark-reddish brown,
6 to 10 inches long, cattail is actually composed of thousands of flowers,
with the male and female flowers being separate with no gap between the
two. |
 |
| Leaf: Narrow with parallel veins, 3/8 to 5/8 inches wide, 12 to 16
per plant. |
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| Flowering period: |
June to July |
| Use by Indians: |
Floor mats and roofing thatch were made from the leaves and basketry,
dried flower heads as pampers, young shoots were eaten raw, root was dried
& ground into meal. |
| Can be found here: |
Big Canyon, Indian Springs, Back Bay Drive |
| Native Plant: Yes |
Halophyte: No |
| Family Name: Cat-tail |
Click on Picture for enlarged version
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| Similar Species: Narrowleaf Cattail |
Date: 11/16/2003
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