Cattail - Typha latifolia

Cattail along shore of Lake Wingra on July 4, 2020.

Cattail along shore of Lake Wingra in Madison, Wisconsin (7/03/20).

Cattail - Typha latifolia

The Cattail is an "obligate wetland" species, meaning that it is always found in or near water. Cattail generally grows in flooded areas where the water depth does not exceed 2.6 feet; however, it has also been reported growing in floating mats (bogs) in slightly deeper water.

Cattail has a two-parted flower. The brown, sausage-shaped formation near top of stem and is made up of tiny, densely-packed pistillate (female) flowers. The thin yellow spike extending above the female part is the staminate (male) flowers.

Other names include: Broad-leaved cat-tail, common cat-tail, bulrush, common bulrush, common cattail, cat-o'-nine-tails, great reedmace, cooper's reed,

Typha: the Greek name for this plant thought to mean "bog."

CAT-TAIL
by Scottish author, Elizabeth Gordon

Cat-tail, growing in the marsh,

thought his mother very harsh,

because she wouldn't let him play

with Blue-flag-lilies all day.

CAT-TAIL
(Typha latifolia)
by Scottish author, Elizabeth Gordon

The Cat-Tail people roam around,

Through any sort of marshy ground;

If you'll go buy their house at night

You'll see their yellow candle light.

For more information on Cattail, visit Wikipedia.

Or, visit the UW-Madison Wisconsin State Herbarium website page about Cattail Typha latifolia.

Or, visit the Edible Wild Foods website page about Cattail Typha latifolia.