Typha latifolia - Broad-leaved cattail

Characteristics: Herbaceous/ Perennial/ Persistent

Flowers: Inconspicuous in large, dense, brown terminal spike. Male spike is above and touching female spike. Flowers May into June.

Growth: Height: up to 6’. Growth rate: Rapid or fast growing.

Shade: Requires full sun.

Habitat: Fresh tidal marshes, non-tidal marshes, pond and stream edges, ditches.

Hydrology: Obligate wetland, fresh water; less than 0.5 ppt. Tidal zone upper 20% of the inter-tidal zone to spring tide elevation.

Range: Newfoundland to Alaska, south to Florida and Mexico.

Comments: Good soil stabilizer, tolerates drought, may have allelopathic characteristics. Provides cover and nesting for canvasback, gadwall, wood duck, marsh wren, red-winged blackbird and fish. Provides food in the form of rootstock and seed for snow geese, teals, muskrat and beaver.