Cattails

Typha latifolia L. is found in every state in the continent including all of the Canadian provinces. Here is the classification from the U.S.D.A.:

Kingdom	Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision	Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division	Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class	Liliopsida – Monocotyledons
Subclass	Commelinidae
Order	Typhales
Family	Typhaceae – Cat-tail family
Genus	Typha L. – cattail
Species	Typha latifolia L. – broadleaf cattail

Here is a list of the various species from Wikipedia:

• Typha angustifolia - Lesser Bulrush or Narrow Leaf Cattail
• Typha domingensis - Southern Cattail
• Typha ×glauca (angustifolia × latifolia) - Hybrid or White Cattail
• Typha latifolia - Common Cattail
• Typha laxmannii - Laxman's Bulrush
• Typha minima - Dwarf Bulrush
• Typha muelleri - Raupo
• Typha orientalis - Raupo
• Typha shuttleworthii - Shuttleworth's Bulrush

This is another one of my favorite plants that turns out to be both invasive and a weed according to "authoritative sources" at the U.S.D. A. I guess my qualifications for a favorite does not include useful for anything. Contrary to the assessment of the U.S. Government, I do know that the rhizomes and underground stems are edible. Also, the base of the leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. Even though the current government classifies this plant as a weed, Native Americans not only ate the plant but used the leaves for weaving mats, baskets and a whole variety of useful products. According to real authorities, the leaves of a cattail can be folded around a stalk to make a doll for a child.

A few years ago we discovered an interesting fact about cattails. We gathered a few of the stalks when they were brown and still growing and put them in a vase. A few weeks later, when they had thoroughly dried, the cattails suddenly exploded into the soft cottony fluff. I think I knew this was what they did but didn't connect the theory with what actually happens with the plant. It is moderately difficult to get exploded cattail seeds out of your house.

On occasion, when finding a patch ready to explode, we have had a rather interesting time hitting the pods. It may not be as spectacular as fireworks, but it is very impressive none the less.