Narrow-leaved cattail (Typha angustifolia L.)
Photo credit: Rob Routledge, Sault College, Bugwood.org
Management Strategy
Squamish
Whistler
Pemberton
Vectors of Spread
Synonyms
Lesser cattail
ID Characteristics
General: Narrow-leaved cattail is a perennial aquatic plant that grows up to 3 m tall. It has also hybridized with the native broad-leaved cattail to create an invasive hybrid, aptly called hybrid cattail (Typha x glauca).
Flowers: Flowers grow at the top of two spikes along the same stalk. Male flowers (with pollen) grow on the top spike, while female flowers grow about 10 – 75 mm below it, on the bottom spike.
Stem: The stem is light green, stiff, and up to 3 m tall.
Leaves: Leaves are slightly convex and 5 – 12 mm wide.
Seeds: Soft, downy seeds surrounded by hairs, clustered in a typical cylindrical “cattail” shape.
Roots: Rhizome root system.
Similar Species
Native
Broad-leaved cattail (Typha latifolia) has wider leaves; male and female parts of the plant are much closer together.
Invasive
Hybrid cattail (T. x glauca) has wider leaves and its leaves grow taller than the flower spikes.
Comparison from left to right: Typha latifolia (flowering); T. latifolia; T. angustifolia, Typha x glauca (photo credits: R. Routledge, Sault College, Bugwood.org)
Habitat and Origin
Narrow-leaved cattail was originally introduced to North America as an ornamental species in the early 19th century.
Narrow-leaved cattail grows near water and is generally found near wetlands, marshes, lakeshores, and riverbanks.
How it Spreads
Narrow-leaved cattail can reproduce both vegetatively and by seed. A major source of reproduction is its extensive rhizome (root) system, as fragments of its rhizomes can grow into new, biologically identical plants. This plant can also reproduce by seed: each flowering head of narrow-leaved cattail contains 10,000 to 100,000 seeds.
Narrow-leaved cattail seeds can be spread by the wind. As this plant grows near water, its seeds can also spread in rivers or streams. Narrow-leaved cattail’s rhizome system also allows it to invade and spread to nearby areas.
Impacts
Ecological:
- Forms dense monocultures.
- Outcompetes native species due to its ability to grow rapidly.
- Makes nearby soil less hospitable as its roots release toxic compounds.
- It can produce a hybrid species (Typha x glauca), which is even more ecologically competitive.
- Lowers biodiversity; infested areas have fewer insects, and habitat for waterfowls become degraded.
Research is still ongoing to better understand the potential impacts of narrow-leaved cattail in BC.
Stop the Spread
There is insufficient information about narrow-leaved cattail’s distribution, impacts, potential for spread and feasibility for control in the Sea to Sky.
Learn to identify narrow-leaved cattail: use the images on this profile page to learn how to identify narrow-leaved cattail.
What to do if you spot it: You can report any narrow-leaved cattail sighting by visiting our reporting page.
DO:
- Regularly monitor properties for weed infestations.
- Remove plant material from equipment, vehicles or clothing used in infested areas and wash equipment and vehicles at designated cleaning sites before leaving infested areas.
- Ensure soil and gravel are uncontaminated before transport.
- Minimize soil disturbances (e.g., use grazing plants that prevent soil exposure from overgrazing), and use seed mixes with dense, early colonization (e.g., alfalfa or barley) to re-vegetate exposed soil and resist invasion.
- Ensure invasive plants (particularly flowering heads or root fragments) are bagged or covered to prevent spread during transport to designated disposal sites (e.g., landfill). Do NOT compost.
DO NOT:
- Unload, park or store equipment or vehicles in infested areas.
- Plant narrow-leaved cattail in a garden, no matter how well-contained its enclosure may seem.
- Move soil that has been contaminated with narrow-leaved cattail.
Control
Cultural
- Raising or manipulating water levels can kill the plant by restricting airflow from its shoots to its roots.
- Burning can also be used in combination with water level manipulation.
Mechanical
Cutting stems below the water surface can be effective. It is best done in late summer or fall.
Chemical
Herbicides cannot be applied in aquatic environments in Canada. Herbicide control is not recommended for this species.
Sea to Sky Distribution
Narrow-leaved Cattail Factsheet
Having trouble viewing the factsheet? Don’t worry, all the information is included on this page. You can also contact us with any questions.
References
- BC Ministry of Transportation, Best Practices for Managing Invasive Plants on Roadsides
- Centre for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health, Narrow Leaved Cattail
- Electronic Atlas of the Flora of British Columbia, Typha angustifolia L.
- Invasive Species Manitoba: Narrow-leaved and hybrid cattail
- Invasive Species Council of BC, The Cryptic Cattail Invasion
- Native Plant Trust, Narrow leaved cat-tail