Plant · GBIF taxon 5289534
Southern Cattail
Typha domingensisAlso known as Cumbungi, Southern Reedmace, Tall Cattail
Southern cattails dominate tropical and warm-temperate wetlands, forming dense stands that reach heights up to four meters. Their tall, pale green leaves frame distinct cinnamon-brown flower spikes, characterized by a clear gap between the upper male flowers and lower female region. These fast-growing perennials filter nutrients from runoff and provide critical nesting habitat for aquatic birds and invertebrates.
WetlandPerennialAquatic Plant
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic
Predators
- Muskrats
- Waterfowl
- Herbivorous Insects
ThreatsHabitat Loss, Wetland Drainage, Invasive Plant Competition
HabitatsFreshwater Marshes, Swamps, Lakeshores, Canals
Life spanPerennial
Classification
- OrderPoales
- FamilyTyphaceae
- GenusTypha
- SpeciesTypha domingensis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Observation: Look closely at the flower spike during summer to spot the gap separating male and female sections.
- Habitat Etiquette: Avoid trampling marsh vegetation when observing around delicate wetland margins.
- Identification: Distinguish from broadleaf cattail by its narrower leaves and paler, yellowish-green foliage.
Frequent Companion (c) anonymous, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Predator (c) Owen Strickland, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Owen Strickland · cc-by
Close Relative Peter O'Connor aka anemoneprojectors from Stevenage, United Kingdom / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative "Typha angustifolia - narrowleaf cattail" by Matt Lavin is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/. · cc-by-sa
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Found in Collections
Ecosystem chain
Wetland Territory
Southern Cattail is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.
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