The Southern cattail is a tall perennial that grows in marshy areas. It can grow up to 10 feet tall in some places. The female spike of the cattail grows from 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide. The leaves are yellowish green in color and grow in groups of 6-9. They are around the same height as the female spikes in most cases. The leaves also have a parallel veined appearance. The female spikes are sheathed to the blade and are dotted on the inside. The Southern cattail has separate flowering spikesand pistillate (having one or more pistils) on the same axis with the pistillate below and the staminate (male flowers having no carpels) above.
The spikes are yellowish orange to brown in color. They can grow very long and are about 7/8 inches wide.The Southern cattail has a small, spindle-like fruit which is dehiscent (opening spontaneously to release seeds or pollen) and deciduous (shedding ) when placed in water. The Southern cattail grows in yealy around streams, the edge of ponds, freshwater marshes and lakes. In the United States they grow from California to the Atlantic Coast, and in the Caribbean, Europe and South America. The blooming season is only about one month long from June to July. The state of Utah has the Southern cattail growing in almost every county.
The Southern cattail is an important tool in erosion control and wildlife restoration. It provides some food for larger domestic and wild animals. Muskrats and other small animals use it for a larger part of their food supply. Native American people used the roots and pollen for food. All parts of the cattail are edible when they are gathered at the right stage of growth. The shoots can be boiled or roasted. The flower stalks can be boiled or steamed. Cattail pollen can be substituted for flour. The underground stems can be eaten raw or baked roasted or broiled.
The Southern cattail is a fire tolerant plant that can spread quickly. It has a very good regrowth after being picked. When collecting the Southern cattail you should never collect more than one quarter of the plants so they can grow back quickly and fully.
Southern Cattails can be an invasive plant and can push other plants out of existence if not thinned. If cattails begin to invade they may need to be physically removed to prevent this from happening.
