Scientific Name: Typha angustifolia
Common Name: narrow-leaf cat-tail
Origin: ALIEN
Notes: Two species of cattail (Typha angustifolia and T. latifolia) are common in Iowa, as is T. X glauca, which is a hybrid between the two species and has features roughly intermediate between them. T. angustifolia and the hybrid are sometimes regarded as invasive. [See comparison: photo, table]
Additional references:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
Field Marks for Identification:
Flowers: June; inflorescence, a single flowering stem is terminated by two floral spikes which are separated by several centimeters of naked stem - the staminate spike is most distal. The pistillate spike is composed of many carpels with associated hairs which assist in windborne fruit distribution. The linear stigmatic structures and bracteole blades that cover the surface of the spike are important identification features.
Leaves: light green, long, linear, and plano-convex in cross section. leaf width less than 10 mm.
Glossaries of botanical terms:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
