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Narrowleaf Cattail

Typha angustifolia L.

Typhaceae (Cattail Family)

▲ mature, flowering plants

▲ inflorescence

Cattail

·         perennial, emergent aquatic weed with rhizomes

·         long, thin, tough-textured, upright growing leaves arising from ground-level stem; leaves grow 3-6 tall

·         inflorescence a tall stalk with brown, velvety cylindrical structure near top, also 3-6' tall

·         found bordering ponds, in wetland areas, along ditches

·         two species common here—

·         narrowleaf cattail

o   leaves ½” wide or less, tending to twist as they go up

o   inflorescences more slender than common cattail

·         common cattail

o   leaves ½-1.5” wide

o   inflorescences usually 1” diameter or larger

Control:  post-emergent, translocated herbicides; pulling, dredging; draining wet areas

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