Cattail

Typha latifolia
Typhaceae/Cattail Family

Cattails grow along the shores of marshes, ponds, lakes, rivers or drainage ditches. They are a tall, stiff plant, often reaching 10" tall. The leaves look like giant blades of grass, about 1" wide and 1-2' long. The tiny, numerous flowers grow along a spike. The lower portion of the spike has the female flowers which are dark brown and the upper portion is covered with male flowers that are yellow. Cattails are usually found in dense stands and provide cover for numerous species birds and aquatic species.