Etymology: Typha: the Greek name for this plant thought to mean "bog"
Plants: erect, perennial, emergent semi-aquatic, 3'-9' tall with many smooth stems; clone-forming from spreading rhizomes
Leaves: basal, lance-like with pointed tips, less than 1/2" wide, back rounded, overlapping each other at the base
Flowers: brown, 3-parted; inflorescence a thick spike with male (top) and female (bottom) flowers; blooms May-July
Fruits: hundreds of seeds tightly packed into a brown, cylindrical spike with 1/2"-1" bare gap between the male and female flowers
Habitat: sun; moist to wet; ditches, marshes, alkaline water; in muddy soil
Invasiveness: Restricted Invasive - Eradicate!
Conservation Status: Introduced - naturalized; ecologically invasive

Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Wetland Indicator = OBL WIS DNR-Bureau of Endangered Resources: Detailed information on Wisconsin invasive species including decription, habitats, control methods USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos USGS - Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Wetland Plants and Plant Communities of Minnesota and Wisconsin USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc. USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc. David G. Smith's "Delaware Wilflowers": Beautiful photographs; descriptions