Typha angustifolia - Narrowleaf Cattail

Typha angustifolia, or Narrow-leaved Bulrush, is a large, hardy semi-aquatic plant that is both decorative and useful due to its filtering properties. It is best suited for large ponds and lakes due to its vigour, although it is less invasive than Typha latifolia. It can also be used in phytoremediation. It forms an upright clump of very thin linear, glaucous green leaves, and blooms in late summer. Its seedheads remain decorative until winter.  

Typha angustifolia belongs to the Typhaceae family, and is a close relative of the Typha latifolia, or Broad-leaved bulrush, which is widely used in phytoremediation. Typha latifolia is more common and has much broader foliage and two spikes together. Typha angustifolia is native to the wetlands of the Eurasian continent and North America. It is a perennial plant which grows spontaneously in stagnant or slow-flowing waters, at the edges of ponds and marshes, generally under 0 to 40 cm (0 to 16in) of water. The vegetation is deciduous, emerging from the ground in spring. This species typically reaches up to 1.5 m (5ft) high, and spreads without theoretical limit. The vegetation consists of stiff and upright stems, called stipes, with linear and narrow, beautiful bluish-green leaves. Typha angustifolia blooms from August onwards and each plant bears male inflorescences, with yellow stamens, and female inflorescences with green pistils. The decorative female inflorescences are brown with an elongated oval shape, 10 to 20 cm (4 to 8in) long. Pollination is carried out by the wind.

This Bulrush thrives in natural or artificial large ponds and lakes. This plant helps with the clarification and purification of water while providing a refuge for native fauna. Its unique flowers are great dried.