Cattail
Typha angustifolia L.
Typha angustifolia L. is a perennial herb in the Typhaceae family, native to most of Eurasia and parts of northwest Africa, with a widespread presence in North America, where its native status is debated. It thrives in wetland habitats, including fresh and brackish water. Common names include lesser bulrush in British English and narrowleaf cattail in North American English. The plant is distributed across regions such as Newfoundland, British Columbia, Portugal, and parts of Europe and Asia. Published in 1753, it is recognized as a type species under botanical nomenclature rules.
Description
Typha angustifolia is a wetland plant found in fresh or brackish water environments. It is native to Eurasia and parts of northwest Africa, with a broad distribution in North America, though its status there is contested. The species is part of the Typhaceae family and the genus Typha. It is known by several common names, including lesser bulrush and narrowleaf cattail. The plant has been the subject of taxonomic discussion, particularly regarding its role as the generitype for the genus Typha. Under the Vienna Code, it has replaced Typha latifolia as the accepted generitype.
Other common names
CattailLesser BulrushLesser Reed-MaceLesser ReedmaceLesser-BulrushNailrodNarrow-Leaf Cat-TailNarrow-Leaf CattailNarrow-Leaved CattailNarrowleaf CattailSmall Reed-Mace
Distribution
Newfoundland · British Columbia · Manitoba · New Brunswick · Nova Scotia · Ontario · Prince Edward Island · Quebec · Saskatchewan · Portugal Continental · BR · Vía Parque Isla de Salamanca · Nearctic · Neotropical · Palaearctic · DK · FI · NO · SE · TW · LK · EG · CO · KH · TH · Núcleo Aceites S.A. · FM · VN · SG · Aratoca | Barichara | Capitanejo | Cepitá | Enciso | Piedecuesta | San José de Miranda | Villanueva
Synonyms
Massula angustifoliaTypha angustifolia var. calumetensisTypha angustifolia var. elongataTypha angustifolia var. inaequalisTypha angustifolia var. longispicataTypha elatiorTypha foveolataTypha glaucaTypha gracilisTypha mediaTypha minorTypha ponticaTypha angustifolia var. elatiorTypha angustifolia f. foveolataTypha angustifolia f. submersaTypha latifolia var. minorTypha angustifolia var. elatior