Flower ID: IMG_7351.JPG-07-02-2021 Flower name (scientific): Typha angustifolia Linnaeus PY: 1753. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) TY-fuh an-gus-tee-FOH-lee-uh Flower name (common): Narrow-leaved Cattail Family name (common): Cattail Family name (scientific): Typhaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: Possibly from the Greek τύφη referring to cat's-tail, the latter being the common name in the sixteen century, also called reed-mace. This name was used by Theophrastus for various plants. Another suggestion has the name referring to bog, a common habitat of the plant. It has also been proposed that the name might refer to smoke, based on the assumption that the plant spikes were used for sustaining fire, or an alusion to the brown color of the spikes when in fruit. Specific epithet: Latin for having narrow leaves. Common name origin: From the width of the leaves, and from the supposed resemblance of the fruiting spike to the tail of a cat. Flower description: Size: 0.1 to 0.2 inches (3 to 5 mm) Petal count: 3 Color: brown Other: flower arrangement, Spike Plant description: Size: 48 to 118 inches (1.2 to 3 m) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is simple Size: Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, linear Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Invasive/Restricted in Wisconsin Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Uncommon Bloom time (typical): May to July Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Marshes, swamps, sun, moist to wet. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): Typha domingensis (Southern Cat-tail) and Typha latifolia (Broad-leaved Cat-tail) have a resemblance to Typha angustifolia. Typha domingensis is a more southern species, with only one reported observation in Wisconsin and not reported from Michigan or Minnesota. The leaves of Typha angustifolia are less than 0.5 inches (13 mm) wide and typically 4 to 12 mm wide when fresh, the fresh leaves of Typha latifolia are 10 up to 29 mm wide, and the fresh leaves of Typha domingensis are 6 to 18 mm wide. The staminate spike and the pistillate spike are separated by 1 to 8 cm or more for Typha angustifolia, by 0 to 8 cm or more for Typha domingensis, and contiguous or by up to 4 cm for Typha latifolia. The pistillate spikes are a medium to dark brown color for Typha angustifolia, whereas the pistillate spikes of Typha domingensis are bright cinnamon-brown to orange-brown in color. To complicate matters, hybrid species are known. Ethnobotany: No recorded uses by tribes from Wisconsin. The Malecite and the Micmac used the plant as a kidney aid (for kidney stones). The Hopi and Pima used the plant as a food source and the Pima utilized the plant as a fiber material (Moerman, p. 573, 1998). Latitude: Longitude: Altitude: Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AR, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY) In Canada: (BC, MB, NB, NS, ON, PE, QC, SK) References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym: na