Typha

Scientific name

Typha L.

Common names

bulrush, cattail, cumbungi

Family

Typhaceae

Similar genera

Acorus, Butomus, Carex, Iris, Sparganium

Native distribution

cosmopolitancosmopolitan:
(adj) essentially worldwide in distribution

Species cultivated

Typha angustifolia L.

T. domingensis Pers.

T. orientalis C. Presl

T. latifolia L.

T. laxmannii Lepech.

T. minima Funck

Adventive distribution

Several species have been introduced in countries around the world. Typha spp. appear to be highly adaptable and establish easily in most regions.

Weed status

Typha species grow prolifically and are often considered pests; they block waterways and choke artificial marshlands.

Habit

tall, emergentemergent:
(adj) (syn. emersed) with parts raised out of the water; extending up out of the water
, narrow-leafed plant

Brief description

Perennial. Stems erect with creeping rhizomerhizome:
(n) an underground stem, usually growing horizontally, from which both roots and shoots emerge directly; the thick, above-ground stem of ferns
. Leaves distichousdistichous:
(adj) (of leaves or flowers) distinctly arranged in two ranks along an axis; leaves may be opposite or alternate
, sheathed basally, alternatealternate:
(adj) (of leaves) bearing one leaf per node; placed singly on the stem at different heights
, forming a compact basalbasal:
(adj) at or pertaining to the base, or point of attachment
rosette; leaf bladeblade:
(n) (syn. lamina) the flat, expanded part of a leaf, frond, or petal (excluding, e.g., the petiole)
linear, emergentemergent:
(adj) (syn. emersed) with parts raised out of the water; extending up out of the water
; marginmargin:
(n) edge; rim
entireentire:
(adj) having a continuous margin that is not toothed or lobed
. Inflorescenceinflorescence:
(n) the arrangement of flowers on the floral axis
a single, cylindricalcylindrical:
(adj) forming a nearly true cylinder
spike; upper flowers female; lower flowers male; flowers densely packed, individual flowers barely recognizable. Dispersal by numerous aerial and floating seeds and rhizomes.

Natural habitat

all types of shallow waterways and wet ground

Additional comments

Often forms dense monocultures in shallow water; an important refuge for many animals associated with waterways.