Typha

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Species

• Typha angustifolia - Lesser Bulrush or Narrow Leaf Cattail
• Typha domingensis - Southern Cattail
• Typha latifolia - Common Bulrush or Common Cattail
• Typha angustifolia x T. latifolia - Hybrid or White Cattail
• Typha laxmannii - Laxman's Bulrush
• Typha minima - Dwarf Bulrush
• Typha shuttleworthii - Shuttleworth's Bulrush

The most widespread species is Typha latifolia, extending across the entire temperate Northern Hemisphere. T. angustifolia is nearly as widespread, but does not extend so far north. T. domingensis is a more southerly American species, extending from the US to South America, while T. laxmannii, T. minima and T. shuttleworthii are largely restricted to Asia and parts of southern Europe.

Related Topics:
American - US - South America - Asia - Europe

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Typha plants grow along lake margins and in marshes, often in dense colonies, and are sometimes considered a weed in managed wetlands. The plant's root systems help prevent erosion, and the plants themselves are often home to many insects, birds and amphibians.

Related Topics:
Insect - Bird - Amphibians

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The rhizomes are a palatable, nutritious and productive root vegetable, generally harvested in the fall and winter. The pollen is also sometimes used as a flour supplement, and the young green flowering stalks can be boiled and eaten like sweetcorn.

Related Topics:
Root vegetable - Sweetcorn

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In North America, the native cattails are increasingly being supplanted by the invasive purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria.

Related Topics:
Invasive - Purple loosestrife

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