3. Typha latifolia L. (common cattail)

Pl. 194 b, e; Map 794

T. latifolia f. ambigua (Sonder) Kronfeld

Aerial stems 1–3 m tall. Leaves 10–23 mm wide, usually slightly longer than the aerial stems, the basal sheaths truncate or tapering above, not or only slightly auriculate, the mucilage glands transparent and difficult to see, not extending onto the leaf blades. Spikes 20–35 cm long, the staminate and pistillate portions contiguous or rarely separated by a short section of sterile stem. Pistillate portions of the spikes 1.5–3 cm in diameter in fruit, brown to dark brown. Pistillate flowers not subtended by bracts, the stigmas lanceolate to narrowly ovate, the stalks with white, filiform hairs not thickened toward the tips. Fruits (including stalks and hairs) about 1 cm long. 2n=30. May–July.

Scattered throughout the state (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe, Asia). Emergent aquatic, in marshes, sloughs, margins of ponds and lakes, wet swales of prairies, ditches, and other wetlands with standing or slow‑moving water.

This is the commonest species of cattail in the state. For a discussion of hybridization with T. angustifolia, see the treatment of that species. Hybrids with T. domingensis have not been reported from Missouri yet.