Introductory
SPECIES: Typha latifolia | Common Cattail 



ABBREVIATION : 
TYPLAT

SYNONYMS : 
   Massula latifolia (L.) Dulac.


SCS PLANT CODE : 
   TYLA


COMMON NAMES : 
   common cattail
   cattail
   broad-leaved cattail
   soft flag


TAXONOMY : 
The currently accepted scientific name of common cattail is Typha
latifolia L. [16,45].  

In North America, the cattail family Typhaceae consists of a single
genus with three species:

  Typha latifolia L. - common cattail
  Typha angustifolia L. - narrow-leaved cattail
  Typha domingensis Pers. - Dominican cattail

The distributions of these species overlap considerably in the
contiguous United States.  Wherever two species occur together, hybrids
are common, especially in habitats with variable water levels [39].
Typha latifolia x T. angustifolia hybrids (T. X glauca Godr.), commonly
known as hybrid or glaucus cattail, are especially common in the Midwest
and may develop extensive pure stands by rhizomatous growth [3,16].
Common cattail also hybridizes with Dominican cattail.  Hybrids are
almost always intermediate morphologically between the parental species.

This report focuses primarily on common cattail.  However, since hybrid
cattail is ecologically similar, information on it has been incorporated
into some slots.  When used, the reader will be alerted that the
information pertains specifically to hybrid cattail.


LIFE FORM : 
Graminoid

FEDERAL LEGAL STATUS : 
No special status

OTHER STATUS : 
NO-ENTRY


COMPILED BY AND DATE : 
Ronald Uchytil, March 1992


LAST REVISED BY AND DATE : 
NO-ENTRY


AUTHORSHIP AND CITATION : 
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1992. Typha latifolia. In: Remainder of Citation

Related categories for Species: Typha latifolia | Common Cattail