Typha

This group of aquatic plants is popularly known as Cattails. Cattails are found growing wild in rivers and ponds of temperate and tropical regions. They vary in height from 1 to 7 feet. T. latifolia, the Cattail that commonly grows in the wild, is too big to cultivate in the average water garden. Its size is overpowering and it spreads rapidly. T. latifolia var. variegata grows 3 or 4 feet high in containers, but up to 7 feet with fertile soil and regular feeding. It produces tall spikes and white and green striped, broad leaves, which are terminated by green catkins, 3 inches in length. The catkins turn brown in the summer. This type can be grown in 1 to 12 inches of water. This variety of latifolia isn't as vigorous as its cousin. T. minima, the dwarf Cattail, is great for small ponds, tub and container gardens. It only grows 12 to 18 inches high and produces thin, grass-like leaves and small, round, dark brown flower spikes. This variety grows in shallow water. T. angustifolia has narrow leaves growing up to 4 feet. Its brown flower spikes have male and female flowers separated by a small gap. This plant is grown in 6 to 12 inches of water. The flowers spikes of Cattails may be cut and dried in early fall and used as decoration. All parts of the Typhas are edible. The pollen is used as flour. The leaves of T. latifolia may be used for making mats, baskets and hassocks. The down from the flower heads of T. angustifolia can be used for stuffing mattresses.

Pot Cultivation

Set the rhizomes an inch below the soil in the required depth of water (This is mentioned in the description section and is usually no more than a foot deep). If they are grown in a small pool, the rhizomes should be placed in 5- to 10-gallon containers before setting in the water. The dwarf variety, T. minima, may be grown in 1-gallon containers or larger. Cattails should have a sunny or partially shady location.

Propagation

In the spring or early summer, the clumps can be divided or pieces of rooted rhizomes may be removed and replanted. Seeds can be collected and dry-stratified and sown the next spring in pots placed in shady beds.

T. angustifolia

VARIETIES

• T. latifolia & var. variegata, laxmannii;
• T. angustifolia;
• T. minima.