Some Common Plants of Upper Newport Bay

Broad-leaved Cat-tail  (Typha latifolia)
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. 
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. 
Leaf: Narrow with parallel veins, 3/8 to 5/8 inches wide, 12 to 16 per plant.
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