| SOURCE: The following information on this
species is taken, in part, from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources,
Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, Invasive Plants of Ohio Fact Sheets
website at http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/dnap/invasive/11cattail.htm.
Modifications include additional pictures (from www.invasives.org)
and resource information. Check the website links for future updates. The last
update for this fact sheet is January 8, 2003. |
DESCRIPTION:
Narrow-leaved cattail is a non-native, invasive plant that hybridizes with the
native broad-leaved cattail (T. latifolia) to produce the invasive T.
xglauca. All three aquatic perennials may grow up to a height of 10
feet and produce a velvety brown spike of flowers. The flower head of the
hybrid and the narrow-leaved cattail have a gap of 1-4 inches between the male
and female flowers, while the native species has both flower types next to each
other. The leaves of cattail originate from the base and spread outward. The
narrow-leaved and hybrid cattails have leaves that are 1/4 - 3/4 inch across;
the native cattail's leaves are wider at 1/2 -1 inch. A starchy rhizome forms
beneath each plant.
|
Photo of T. angustifolia: © Mandy Tu/
The Nature Conservancy
|
Photo: Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Natural
Areas and Preserves,
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/dnap/invasive/11cattail.htm
|
HABITAT: Stands
of cattail can be found in a wide variety of wetland habitats, including
marshes, lakeshores, river backwaters and roadside ditches. This prolific plant
can grow in disturbed areas, as well as brackish, and polluted waters of depths
nearing 3 feet.
DISTRIBUTION:
Narrow-leaved cattails are believed to have been introduced to the Atlantic
seaboard from the dry ballast of European ships. This plant has since spread
westward and occurs throughout much of the United States. The hybrid cattail is
concentrated in the northeast, but may occur wherever both the native and the
narrow-leaved species are present. All three taxa are found throughout Ohio.
PROBLEM:
Narrow-leaved and hybrid cattail will out-compete native plants in wetland
systems. These plants establish dense monocultures that enable them to shade
out native vegetation. They are also thought to be allelopathic, producing
chemicals which discourage growth of other plant species. Cattails reproduce
both vegetatively by rhizomes and sexually through massive amounts of seed.
|
|
Photo: © Mandy Tu/
The Nature Conservancy
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For more information
on non-native cattails, please contact:
Grace, J.B. and J.S. Harrison. 1986. The Biology of Canadian Weeds: Typha
latifolia L., T. angustifolia L. and T. xglauca Godr. Canadian Journal of Plant
Science 66: 361-379.
Hoffman, R. and K. Kearns, eds. 1997. Wisconsin Manual of Control
Recommendations for Ecologically Invasive Plants. Bureau of Endangered
Resources, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Mid-Atlantic Exotic Pest Plant Council, Inc., http://www.ma-eppc.org
Motivans, K. and S. Apfelbaum. 1987. Element Stewardship Abstract for Typha
spp.
National Invasive Species Information Center,
http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Natural Areas and Preserves,
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/dnap/invasive/11cattail.htm
The Bugwood Network, MA-EPPC Plant List,
http://www.invasive.org/maweeds.cfm
The Nature Conservancy, Invasive Species Initiative,
http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/esadocs.html
USDA - NRCS PLANTS Database, http://plants.usda.gov/
Virginia Tech Weed Identification Guide,
http://www.ppws.vt.edu/weedindex.htm
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Non-native plants fact sheets,
Common cattail and Narrow-leaved cattail,
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/er/invasive/factsheets/cattail.htm
Management and Control
Information
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