Common Cattail

Typha latifolia

Family: Typhaceae

Location:

found along the shore of marshes, ponds, or lakes; sometimes found in ditches
tend to grow in a dense stand (many together)

Characteristics:

adult specimens range from 1-3 meters or 3-9 feet tall
stiff, straight stem
brown flower head pops open in early fall, letting its fluffy seeds emerge; the seeds are carried away by wind or water

Leaves:

erect, sharp, and stiff
look like a thick blade of grass
leaves are simple with a smooth, continuous edge

Flower:

the flower has two parts: female and male
brown sausage-shaped formation near top of stem made up of tiny, densely-packed pistillate (female) flowers
thin yellow spike extending above female part is the staminate (male) flowers
both male and female flowers visible May-July

Uses:

The dried leaves are an excellent source of weaving material that can be used to make floats and rafts. The cottony seeds make good pillow stuffing and insulation. The fluff makes excellent tinder and can be easily spotted all year round. Dried cattails are effective insect repellents when burned.

Cattail leaves are also usable for cordage for making a bow drill. The pithy stalks can be used to make a hand drill, useful for igniting a pile of tinder.