Typha angustifolia L.

Narrowleaf Cat Tail

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Narrowleaf Cat Tail is a native (?) herbaceous perennial in the Cat-Tail family (Typhaceae). It can be found at scattered locations across Alabama. Narrowleaf Cat Tail occurs in shallow fresh or brackish water and wet soil of marshes, ponds and lakes, and roadside ditches. It is particularly common in disturbed sites such as roadside ditches. Narrowleaf Cat Tail is a perennial from a rhizome, often forming large clones. Erect shoots are 4-9 feet in height. Leaves are distichously arranged, linear, glabrous, entire, and light green in color. The leaf sheaths have membranous sides and auricles at the summit. Flowers are produced in terminal spikes. Staminate flowers are above pistillate flowers and separated by 1-8 cm of naked axis. Staminate flowers have 3 stamens intermixed with long hairs. Pistillate flowers have an ovary on a long hairy stalk. Sterile flowers are often present. The fruit is an achene. Some researchers have suggested that Narrowleaf Cat Tail was introduced from Europe into Atlantic Coastal areas of North America and has since migrated westward. Recently it has expanded its range and become more abundant, especially in highly disturbed habitats. Narrowleaf Cat Tail hybridizes with Common Cat Tail (Typha latifolia Linnaeus) to form the sterile hybrid Typha ×glauca Godr. Both Narrowleaf Cat Tail and they hybrid are listed as invasive species in some states.—A. Diamond.

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Native OBL (NWPL) G5 (Global Rank)

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