Narrowleaf Cattail

Typha angustifolia

Native to:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, East Aegean Is., Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Korea, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nansei-shoto, Nepal, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Prince Edward I., Romania, Russia, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Virgin Islands

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Typhaceae
Genus:
Typha
Species:
Typha angustifolia
USDA Symbol:
TYAN

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
300 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
jun,jul,aug
Bloom Colors:
brown
Food Forest:
Contains edible parts

Wildlife Benefits

Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Caterpillars:
★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Bellura brehmei, oblong wainscot (Archanara oblonga)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, mammals
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Rhizomes survive fire; top-killed stems resprout vigorously after fire.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, waterlogged, organic soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
tolerates poor drainage
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
commonly found in marshes and wetlands

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
None required
Germination Time:
14–30 days
Notes:
Seeds germinate readily in moist soil with light; no pretreatment required.

Pre-treatment: Single-step cold-moist stratification for temperate woodland species. for 60–120 days

Source: Claude AI