Typha latifoliaL. Broad-leaved cat-tail

Typha latifoliaL. - Broad-leaved cat-tail

Scientific Description:

Stem robust, to 2.5 m. Leaf blades 6−16 mm broad. Female and male spikes contiguous or separated by a distance of 0.5−2.5 cm. Female spike 9−28 cm, 2.5−3 cm diameter when ripe, dark brown when young, later whitish flecked brown, without scales. Stigmas lanceolate-ovate. Male spike somewhat longer than female, 11−35 cm × 12−17 mm; scales filiform, simple. Anthers 2.5−3.5 mm. Pollen grains in tetrads. Fruit 1−1.5 mm, dehiscent, hairs 25−52, 7−11 mm, on a basal zone 1.5−2.5 mm.

Flowering time: June−October.

Habitat: Watersides, lakes, ditches, canals, s.l.−1850 m.

Reference:
Baytop A (1984). Typha latifolia L., In: Davis PH (ed.), Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 8: 559.

Public Description:

Typha latifolia, commonly known as “broad-leaved cat-tail”, grows naturally in North and South America, Europe, Eurasia, and Africa. It is aquatic or semi-terrestrial herbaceous perennial plant of waterside habitats with creeping rhizomes, and grows up to 2.5 meter in length. It blooms between June and October and is found in watersides, lakes, ditches, and canals. There are no real flower constructions in this plant and other Typha L. species. Brush-like constructions in the generally brownish color at the ends of the branches are flower clusters. The leaves of the plants are used in in weaving chair bottoms and mats. Its leaves can also be used as a source of good quality cellulose to produce paper. From the floral part of the plants, fiber is obtained in excellent quality for use in the textile industry. The starch-rich rhizomes are edible, highly nutritious and abundant pollen is used in the pharmaceutical industry. However, plants growing in polluted water can accumulate lead and pesticide residues in their rhizomes, and these should not be eaten. Typha are used as thermal insulation in buildings as an organic alternative to conventional insulating materials such as glass wool or stone wool. The high content of bioenergetics compounds (starch and cellulosic content) in these plants can enable to utilize them in biofuel (bioethanol) production.

References:

Anonymous 1 (2016) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typha_latifolia/,Accessed date: 24.11.2016.

Anonymous 2 (2016) https://gobotany.newenglandwild.org/search/?q=typha+latifolia/,Accessed date: 24.11.2016.

Ekim T (2012) Typha L., In: Güner, A., Aslan, S., Ekim, T., Vural, M. & Babaç, M.T. (eds.), Türkiye Bitkileri Listesi (Damarlı Bitkiler). Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanik Bahçesi ve Flora Araştırmaları Derneği Yayını. İstanbul, pp. 879–880.