Introduction to Cattails
Cattails are a wetland plant that can grow in waters up to 1 to 2 feet deep. They are also known by the common names bulrush, punks, and corn dog grass. The botanical name for cattails is Typha.
Cattails typically grow near the edges of ponds, lakes, rivers, marshes, and ditches. They grow in dense clusters and can spread easily via their underground rhizome roots. Cattails are characterized by their tall, erect leaves that can reach heights of 3 to 10 feet. The leaves are sword-shaped and smooth, with stalks coming up directly from the ground.
The most distinctive feature of cattails are the brown, cylindrical flower spikes that form at the top of the stalks in mid to late summer. The spikes resemble a hot dog or corn dog, which is where the common name “corn dog grass” originates. The spikes contain densely packed flowers that enable cattails to spread prolifically via seeds.
Cattail Flowers and Pollen
Cattails produce two types of flowers, male and female. The male flowers form a long spike on the top of the stalk and produce bright yellow pollen. The yellow pollen develops above the green leafy parts of the cattail and looks like a cylinder or spike (Source). The pollen starts off bright yellow when immature and then turns fluffy and lighter yellow as it matures and starts dispersing in the wind. The female flowers form the familiar brown cylindrical “cat tail” shape below the male flowers. The female flowers develop into the seeds.
The cattail’s bright yellow pollen is very noticeable when it’s in season during the summer. The male flowers exude a sulfur-like odor when they open to disperse pollen in large quantities. The pollen has a sweet taste and is edible and nutritious for humans, birds, and insects (Source). Cattail pollen contains amino acids, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins. When collected, the pollen has many culinary uses as an ingredient in baked goods, pancakes, and smoothies.
The Brown Cattail Flower Head
The brown, sausage-shaped structure near the top of a cattail stem is made up of many tiny female flowers that have matured and changed color. As the cattail plant grows, its flower spike emerges first as a green, cylindrical spike. This green spike is covered in many small, green flowers. The upper portion of the spike contains the female flowers, while the lower portion contains the male flowers.
As the female flowers mature, they develop into brown fertile fruits. Each flower produces one fruit. These tiny, densely-packed brown fruits give the flower spike its distinctive sausage-like appearance. According to Brandeis University, “the flower has two parts: female and male – brown sausage-shaped formation near top of stem made up of tiny, densely-packed pistillate (female) flowers” [1].
The transition from a green flower spike to the mature brown sausage-shaped structure happens over time. By mid to late summer, the flower head turns completely brown. This is a good visual indicator that the plant has reached maturity and produced its seeds.
Cattail Seeds
Cattails produce numerous small seeds inside the brown, cigar-shaped flower head that forms at the top of the stalk after the pollen has been dispersed. The seeds develop embedded within fine, thread-like fibers which make up the bulk of the brown flower head. These fibers provide structure to the flower head and eventually help disperse the seeds.
As the seeds mature in late summer and fall, the flower head starts to disintegrate, allowing the seeds to break free. The seeds have tiny hairs attached that enable them to float on the wind like mini parachutes. This helps disperse the seeds over long distances to colonize new areas. The fluffy white seeds can create dense clouds when the dried flower heads release them en masse.
The small, oval-shaped seeds are only about 1 mm in size. Each seed contains an embryo and limited stored food reserves. For the seed to germinate and grow into a new cattail plant, it must land in muddy, marshy soil within a day or two. The embryo emerges as a green sprout when conditions are right. An established cattail colony can produce enormous numbers of seeds, maximizing the potential for new growth.
Wildlife Uses for Cattails
Cattails provide important habitat and food sources for wildlife (Cattails). The dense stands of cattail plants create areas of protection and nesting sites for many species of birds, including red-winged blackbirds, marsh wrens, common yellowthroats, and ducks. Mammals like muskrats and beavers use cattails to construct lodges and dams. Many types of insects thrive among the cattail leaves and stems, which provide food and shelter. Fish also rely on cattails, as the plants help stabilize the shoreline and their decaying debris enriches the water.
Additionally, cattail seeds and rhizomes (underground stems) are eaten by ducks, geese, swans, marsh wrens, red-winged blackbirds, yellow-headed blackbirds, rails, muskrats, beavers, and other species (Cattail | San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants). Muskrats, beavers, and geese often rely heavily on cattails and consume large quantities of the plant. Deer also graze on young cattail shoots. By supporting such a diversity of wildlife, cattails form a vital part of wetland ecosystems.
Traditional and Modern Uses
Cattails have long been used for food, medicine, and handicrafts by native peoples across North America.[1] The rootstock can be peeled and eaten raw or boiled and mashed into a flour. The pollen is also edible and can be used as a flour substitute when making breads or pancakes.[2] Medicinally, the rootstock has antiseptic properties and can be used on cuts, sores, and bruises when split open or mashed into a poultice.[3] The leaves can be used for weaving sleeping mats, baskets, and even dolls.
Today, cattails are still valued for many of these traditional uses. The dried leaves continue to be used for handicrafts and art projects. The fluffy flower heads make great insulation material. Cattail rootstarch can be used as an alternative to cornstarch. Some foragers seek out cattail shoots in the spring for eating raw or cooked. Cattail pollen is still gathered as a nutritious and gluten-free flour. While not as commonly used today medicinally, some herbalists continue to utilize the antiseptic roots.
In addition to traditional uses, modern applications include using cattails for biofuel production, phytoremediation of wastewater, and bioplastics.[1] As a fast-growing and renewable resource, cattails have proven to be extremely versatile plants.
Growing Cattails
Cattails are easy to grow if you have wet soil. To plant cattails, mix their roots into the top layers of potting mix in a pot or wet garden soil in a moist location. Place cattail plants around 1 foot apart to allow room for their rhizome growth.
Cattails thrive in full sun to partial shade and moist conditions. They can grow in up to 6-inch water depths, making them suitable for the edges of ponds and water features. Cattails also adapt well to both containers and garden soils as long as the soil doesn’t dry out.
Cattails produce new shoots from their rhizomes, so they will continue spreading outward over time. To control spread, plant them in submerged pots or contain them within plastic or metal borders. Otherwise, divide cattail clumps every 2-3 years to control their spread.
No fertilization is needed when growing cattails. Simply remove dead leaves and flower spikes to keep the plants looking tidy. Also watch for common issues like aphids. With their hardy growth habits, providing sufficient moisture is usually the only care cattails require.
Cattail Problems
One of the biggest issues with cattails is that some species can become highly invasive in wetland areas. The hybrid cattail species Typha x glauca is considered an aggressive, invasive plant that can take over wetlands, especially those high in nutrients from runoff pollution.
According to the Wisconsin Wetlands Association, hybrid cattail spreads rapidly and outcompetes native plants, forming dense monocultures that reduce biodiversity and change wetland structure and function (https://www.wisconsinwetlands.org/updates/invasive-plant-profile-cattails/). Its rapid growth chokes out open water areas in wetlands, impacting aquatic animals and reducing habitat for waterfowl.
USGS also reports that cattail invasion impacts wetland ecosystems by displacing native flora and fauna, altering hydrology, increasing fire frequency, and reducing wildlife habitat quality (https://www.usgs.gov/news/cattail-typha-invasion-north-american-wetlands). Cattail invasion is a major concern across North America.
Various control methods can be used to manage invasive cattails, including burning, mowing, herbicide application, and draining or flooding stands. However, control is difficult and regrowth likely, so prevention and early detection of invasion are critical.
Cattail Symbolism
Cattails have special symbolic meaning in many cultures. For example, the southwestern Native American tribes view cattails as representing water and rain. The Pueblo tribes use cattails ceremonially in rituals praying for rainfall during droughts, showing the plant’s strong association with life-giving water in their traditions 1. Cattails also symbolize victory of the spirit, mind and body to some. Their brown cylindrical flower heads evoke candles or torches, representing inner illumination and reflection 2.
In flower symbolism, the cattail represents ambition and aggressiveness because of its phallic shape and rapid spread. The sun is also connected to cattails, which track the path of the sun throughout the day with their flower heads. Some see the cattail’s fluffy brown pollen as resembling flowing sun rays. Cattail’s association with sunlight gives it an astrological connection to the zodiac sign Leo 3.
The incredible tenacity of the common cattail
While often overlooked, the cattail is an extraordinary plant. Whether gracing the banks of a pond or persisting in a drainage ditch, the common cattail endures. Its brown cylindrical flower spikes make it easily recognizable, but the humble cattail offers much more than a distinctive profile. This sturdy plant provides food and shelter for wildlife, material for traditional crafts, and untold inspiration. The cattail’s soft brown pollen has even been used as a natural flash powder substitute by photographers. Resilient, versatile, renewable – the unassuming cattail may be one of nature’s most ingenious designs.