Cattail are in the Typha family and are perennial reeds that are found in wetlands. There are two kinds of cattail, and they are broad leafed and narrow leafed. The common cattail is T Latifola and is found in North America. It has strappy leaves and stalks with thick flowers. They also have spikes that are brown. Pollinated male flowers have spikes in the upper part, and female flowers have spikes near the bottom.

Cattail leaves are used for weaving rush, chair seats, mats, and baskets. Young shoots and grown pollen spikes may be cooked for vegetables and ground beef.         Cattails grow in wooded swamps. They continue to live during the winter because the stalks and leaves stick over the snow.

Staub,Frank. Americas Wetlands. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda Books
Inc.

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