Southern Cattail
Typha domingensis
Observed growing along Black Canyon Creek near Bumble Bee, Yavapai Co., Arizona. April 2008.
PERENNIAL: Tall herbaceous perennial of wet or marshy soils reaching
two meters in height.
FLOWERS: Numerous flowers on densly packed spikes. The staminate (male)
flowers are at top of spike separated from the pistallate (female) flowers
below.
LEAVES: Leaves are narrow, strap-like blades a meter or more in length
ca. 1 cm wide. In cross section bottom edge is convex.
RANGE: Where fresh water is more-or-less permanent, at least within a
few cm's of the surface, cattails soon become established. Riparian streams and
near city/agricultural water supplies.
FRUIT: Numerous dry, minute seeds with hairs that promote wind
dispersal.
UNARMED