Plant: Perennial herb that have erect, non-branched stems 3
to 7 1/2
feet tall. Found at the edge of fresh water ponds and in
marshes.
It has large air filled cells that provide oxygen to submerged portions
of the plant. |
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Flowers: Tiny, numerous, that form a spike. The dark-reddish
brown,
6 to 10 inches long, cattail is actually composed of thousands of
flowers,
with the male and female flowers being separate with no gap between the
two. |
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Leaf: Narrow with parallel veins, 3/8 to 5/8 inches wide, 12
to 16
per plant. |
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Flowering period: |
June to July |
Use by Indians: |
Floor mats, roofing thatch and basketry were made from the
leaves,
dried flower heads used as pampers, young shoots were eaten raw, root
was dried and ground into meal. |
Can be found here: |
Big Canyon, Indian Springs, Back Bay Drive |
Native Plant: Yes |
Halophyte: No |
Family Name: Cat-tail |
Click on Picture for enlarged version
|
Similar Species: Narrow-leaved Cat-tail |
Date: 10/17/2005
|