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Typha angustifolia (Narrow-Leaved Cattail)

Narrow-Leaved Cattail, Narrow-Leaved Reedmace, Small Reedmace, Soft Flag, Typha gracilis

Typha angustifolia, Narrow-Leaved Cattail, Narrow-Leaved Reedmace, Small Reedmace, Soft Flag, Typha gracilis, Aquatic Plants, Plants for wet soils

Typha angustifolia (Narrow-Leaved Cattail) is a vigorous, marginal aquatic perennial forming a dense clump of very narrow, flattened leaves, 2-5 ft. long (60-150 cm). In late spring and summer, the plant bears cylindrical inflorescences, up to 9 in. long (22 cm), composed of tiny male, staminate flowers in the upper portion and female, pistillate flowers below. Male and female flowers are separated by a 2-6 in. gap (5-15 cm). The male flowers are golden yellow at the time they shed their pollen, then they disintegrate, leaving a naked stalk tip. The densely packed female spike turns from green to rich brown as the seeds mature. The fruiting spikes are widely popular for cut flower arrangements. The fertilized flowers produce single-seeded, nutlike achenes with long, slender hairs that allow for wind and water transport of the seeds. One plant can produce approximately 250,000 soft downy seeds in the fall. Seeds can remain viable in the seed-bank for up to 100 years. Narrow-Leaved Cattail has thick, rapidly spreading, lateral rhizomes. It spreads to form dense colonies in shallow water, where it provides a favorable habitat for wetland birds and other wildlife. Native to wetlands, lakeshores, river backwaters, road sides, ditches, disturbed wet areas, bogs, fresh or brackish marshes, lakes, and ponds in North America, Europe and Asia, Narrow-Leaved Cattail can grow in a pond, water garden or bog garden. Narrow-Leaved Cattail is a competitive species primarily considered a nuisance in North America where it invades and displaces other, less competitive, wetland and emergent species, causing loss of biodiversity. It should not be introduced without thought as to how to control it. Site plants carefully because the roots go deep and are hard to eradicate once established.

  • Grows up to 3-7 ft. tall (90-210 cm) and 3-5 ft. wide (90-150 cm).
  • A full sun to part shade lover, this plant thrives in shallow water, 12 in. deep (30 cm). It can thrive in nutrient rich or slightly saline soils. Outside of containers, rhizomes can spread rapidly to form colonies when happy.
  • No serious pest or disease issues.
  • Propagate by root division or by seed.
  • Native to North America, Europe and Asia.

Requirements

Hardiness 2 - 11
Plant Type Aquatic Plants, Perennials
Plant Family Typhaceae
Genus Typha
Common names Cattail
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 3' - 7'
(90cm - 210cm)
Spread 3' - 5'
(90cm - 150cm)
Spacing 60" (150cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs High
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants California, United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Missouri, Minnesota, Midwest, Nebraska, Michigan, Kansas, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, South Dakota, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Pacific Northwest, Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Arkansas, Kentucky, Southwest, Texas, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, Wyoming, Rocky Mountains, Montana, Colorado
Tolerance Wet Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Bog Gardens, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens, Water Gardens
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Typha laxmannii (Graceful Cattail)
Typha latifolia ‘Variegata’ (Variegated Broadleaf Cattail)
Typha minima (Dwarf Cattail)
Typha latifolia (Broadleaf Cattail)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 2 - 11
Plant Type Aquatic Plants, Perennials
Plant Family Typhaceae
Genus Typha
Common names Cattail
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 3' - 7'
(90cm - 210cm)
Spread 3' - 5'
(90cm - 150cm)
Spacing 60" (150cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs High
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants California, United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Missouri, Minnesota, Midwest, Nebraska, Michigan, Kansas, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, South Dakota, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Pacific Northwest, Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Arkansas, Kentucky, Southwest, Texas, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, Wyoming, Rocky Mountains, Montana, Colorado
Tolerance Wet Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Bog Gardens, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens, Water Gardens
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Typha (Cattail) to pick?
Compare Now

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