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Typhaceae - Cattail family

Waves of Grain Index - Not Grass

Typhaceae - Cattail family

Southern Cattail Typha domingensis

Plant grows in shallow water and stands 6 feet tall.  New shoots grow from rhizomes.  Seed spike is 6"-12" tall, with the male flowers at the top of the stem and the female flowers below (the thick part).  The male flowers wither quickly to form the bare spike at top.  When ripe the spike explodes in tiny downy fluff angels that carry the seed on the wind.  All parts of the plant are edible.  The seed down is useful for fire tender and birds uses it in nests.   Called Bulrush by the English.

Photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, June 2005

(Native of Texas - Taylor, Brown)

Similar Species

Common Cattail (Broadleaf Cattail) Typha latifolia

Leaves 3/4" wide and 3-10 feet tall.  The flower spike has a lower fuzzy female portion and a narrow upper male portion of equal length with no separation between the two.

(Native of Texas - but not of my area)

Narrow-leaved Cattail Typha angustifolia

Flat leaves 1/4"-1/2" wide and 3-6 feet tall.  The flower spike has a lower 2"-6" long fuzzy female portion and a narrow upper male portion of equal length with clear separation between the two.  Likes deeper water than Common Cattail.

(not in Texas)

Waves of Grain Index - Not Grass