Broad-Leaf Cattail Essay, Research Paper

The broad-leave cattail is scientifically known as typha latifolia–typha meaning ?bog? and latifolia meaning ?wide or broad leave?. It is a common plant that grows in fresh marshes, ditches, ponds, or other wet and moist soil areas where high levels of organic material are present. This plant is located worldwide. The cattail is part of the cattail family typhaceae. Cattails are among the most common of all aquatic plants. They get their name from their cylindrical flower spikes that can be more than one foot long. Cattails often dominate large areas, especially where waterlevels fluctuate. The broad-leave cattail grows in sunny or partially shaded location in tropical or temperate climates located throughout the world. Low and middle elevations suit the plant well.

The broad-leave cattail can grow 1 to 3 meters in height. The stem is rounded with twelve to sixteen erect leaves that are 8-15 millimeters wide and 1-3 meters long. The cattail has a two-rowed leaf arrangement. The flower spikes are densely packed with tiny flowers. Cattail leaves are straplike and stiff, and rounded on the back. The leaves are sheathed together at their bases. Therefore, cattail plants appear to be flattened from the side. Leaves are straight in the bottom half, but twist and spiral in the top half. The pollen-producing male flowers are located on the top of the plant. The female portion of the plant, which produces the seeds, is located right beneath the male spike. There is no gap between the two spikes. The staminate flowers are located on the upper 6-11 centimeters of the plant. The pistallate flowers are located on the lower 3-20 centimeters. The broad-leave cattail is perennial, or having a life cycle of more than two years. It has a fibrous root system.

The common cattail is also monoecious. This means that it has the stamens and pistil on separate flowers on the same plant. The common cattail can reproduce sexually or asexually. It produces asexually by vegetative reproduction through an extension rhizome system. Sexually, the common cattail produces minute seeds on the spike. The spike of the plant is the dark brown, cylindrical shaped object located at the middle of the plant. Each spike on a cattail can produce 117,000 to 268,000 seeds. During dry conditions, when the spike reaches maturity, it breaks open and releases the fruits containing the seeds. When the fruit hits the water, the ovary wall opens and the seeds come out and sink to the bottom of the water. If the conditions are good, the seeds will germinate almost right away.

The cattail leaves were commonly used by indians to weave baskets, pad for beddings, and for waterproof mattings to cover their wigwams. The down of the plant was used on burns, wounds, and in cradles for young babies. Some sections of the rhizomes were ground up and used for flower.