Typha angustifolia var. calumetensis Peattle, Typha angustifolia var. elongata (Dudley) Wiegand, lesser reed-mace, nail-rod, small reed-mace, southern reedmace, narrowleaf cattail, narrow-leaf cat-tail

The best time to try to distinguish T. angustifolia from the native T. latifolia is in late summer when the flowers are fully developed (Campbell et al. 2010). Typha angustifolia has narrower leaves and a 2-12 cm gap between the male and female portions of the flower (Campbell et al. 2010, Miklovic 2000).

The invasive hybrid, Typha x glauca, may be difficult to distinguish from its parent species, but typically has an intermediate leaf width and gap size (Campbell et al. 2010, Higman and Campbell 2009).

In waters where T. latifolia and T. angustifolia are present, T. latifolia will often be in shallower waters closer to the shorelines, whereas T. angustifolia can survive in deeper water of 2-3 m (Weisner 1993).

This perennial species flowers from late spring through early summer and those flowers mature in mid-summer (Forest Helath Staff 2006, Weisner 1993). Flowers are velvety brown, cigar-shaped spikes that are 2-6 inches in length, with a gap between the lower (female) and upper (male) flowers (Forest Health Staff 2006). Typha angustifolia allocates approximately 20% of its biomass to its sexual structures (Grace and Harrison 1986 in Miklovic 2000). The female flowers, which are fertilized by the wind, develop into tufted seeds (nutlets). Each plant can produce between 20,000- 700,000 tiny seeds, which are also wind dispersed (Borland et al. 2009, Grace and Harrison 1986 in Miklovic 2000). Narrow-leaved cattail seeds do not require a dormancy period, but often need moist soil and sunlight for germination (Baskin and Baskin 1998 in Miklovic 2000). Seeds can remain viable up to 70-100 years depending on soil conditions (Borland et al. 2009, Wienhold and van der Valk 1989 in Miklovic 2000).  Typha angustifolia also has rhizomes and is able to spread vegetatively via these structures (Forest Health Staff 2006, Stevens and Hoag 2006).

Dead cattail shoots remain standing for up to two years before collapsing (Mason and Bryant 1975).

Summary of species impacts derived from literature review. Click on an icon to find out more...

Environmental	Socioeconomic	Beneficial

Typha angustifolia has high environmental impacts in the Great Lakes.

Typha angustifolia can out-compete native species in a variety of wetland ecosystems and its presence limits biodiversity (Ohio EPA 2001). Typha angustifolia is especially invasive in disturbed wetlands and readily forms dense, monotypic stands that shade out other species (Ohio EPA 2001, Stevens and Hoag 2006). Narrow-leaved cattail is also tolerant of saline conditions and uses this tolerance to out-compete less tolerant species (Miklovic 2000).

In studies where cattail litter was added to test sites, native wetland plants such as marsh bellflower (Campanula aparinoides), bulb-bearing water-hemlock (Cicuta bulbifera), and stiff marsh bedstraw (Galium tinctorium) did not emerge. Typha angustifolia emerges earlier in the spring and grows more rapidly and taller than T. latifolia, often giving it the competitive advantage in areas where the two species coexist. In test areas, T. angustifolia slowly replaces T. latifolia, except in very shallow water (Weisner 1993).

Hybridization between T. angustifolia and T. latifolia results in the invasive Typha x glauca. Previously, it was thought that the hybrid was sterile and could only spread via growth of its rhizomes; however it is now known that some Typha x glauca individuals can reproduce sexually (McKenzie-Gopsill et al. 2012, Travis et al. 2010). Typha x glauca often grows taller and can tolerate a wider range of environmental conditions than either parent species (Borland et al. 2009, Galatowitsch 2012, Travis et al. 2010).

There is little or no evidence to support that Typha angustifolia has significant socio-economic impacts in the Great Lakes.

Typha angustifoli negatively impacted farmland in Kebbi state (Aliero, Kashin Zama and Sabiyal), Nigeria reducing rice yields from 22.5 bags/ha to 6-6.5 bags/ha (Aliero et al., 2022).

Typha angustifolia has high beneficial effects in the Great Lakes.

If collected at the appropriate stage (and in some cases cooked) all parts of the narrow-leaved cattail are edible (Stevens and Hoag 2006). It is estimated that one acre of T. angustifolia would yield about 6,475 pounds of flour (from the pollen) consisting of about 80% carbohydrates and 6-8% protein (Harrington 1972 in Stevens and Hoag 2006).

In limited quantities, T. angustifolia can actually be beneficial to an ecosystem. It can serve as a nutrient and food source, help with prairie restoration, assist in water treatment, and to protect shorelines from erosion (Miklovic 2000, Su et al. 2007, United States Forest Service 2012, Stevens and Hoag 2006,  and MNDNR 2012).

Regulations last updated 7/05/2022. Always check federal, state/provincial, tribal and local regulations directly for the most up-to-date information.
 

Control

Integrated control strategies are generally necessary to decrease dominance of this species as well as its hybrid (T. x glauca) (Weibert et al. 2024).

Biological
Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) populations can have a serious impact on Typha populations; however, large populations of muskrats can shift to other plant species and have a long-term detrimental effect on the vegetation community (Miklovic 2000).

The native boring-moth larvae (Arzama spp.) have been reported to cause damage to Typha stands, but their use as a species specific biological control is unknown (Miklovic 2000). ). A secondary invasion of Lythrum salicaria has been observed after T. angustifolia treatment, and thus a site may require longer term management beyond a single treatment (Annen et al., 2019). Secondary invasions of Hydrocharis morsusranae has also been reported in the Great Lakes after T. angustifolia treatment and reenforces the importance of continued monitoring and management of treated areas (Monks et al., 2019).  In Nigeria, Phragmites karka reduced Typha species by 25% when used in combination with manual cuttings occurring 15 cm below the water line (Abdullahi et al., 2019).

Heavy grazing will eliminate Typha spp. from riparian corridors; however, this technique might also affect other native species (Stevens and Hoag 2006).

Physical
Mowing during the growing season, once just before the flowers reach maturity and again about a month later (when new growth is 2-3 feet high), will kill at least 75% of narrow-leaved cattails (Stevens and Hoag 2006). Mechanical harvesting has a higher impact when young stands of T. angustifolia are harvested above the water level and older stands are harvested below (Lishawa et al., 2017). In a wetland on the coast of Lake Ontario near Rochester, NY, a combination of removing dead biomass while cutting and chemically treating live stems can reduce T. angustifolia biomass while increasing native taxa (Graham et al., 2021).

Burning may also be effective at controlling T. angustifolia ; however, it needs to be repeated several times. Unless the flames have access to the belowground portions of cattails, the rhizomes will resprout and grow new plants (Forest Health Staff 2006, United States Forest Service 2012). Since fire does not typically affect the below ground rhizomes of T. angustifolia it is able to rapidly regrow after a treatment (Bansal et al., 2019).This treatment option might also be unfeasible in wet ecosystems or sensitive natural areas (Miklovic 2000).

Typha spp. are sensitive to the ethanol produced from anaerobic respiration. Flooding a wetland could trigger this reaction and help control Typha (Miklovic 2000). Manually digging up plants or cutting stems, followed by raising the water level by 3 inches above the plants will yield effective control, as well (Forest Health Staff 2006). Methods of water manipulation are most effective when combined with other control methods including burning or cutting (Bansal et al., 2019). Revegetating treated areas with competitive species can help support the recovery of native species (Bansal et al., 2019).

Chemical
Typha spp. can be controlled by 2,4-dichloro-phenoxyacetic acid, N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine (as an  isopropylamine salt), isopropylamine salt based chemicals, and  6,7-dihydrodipyrido (1,2-a:2',1'-c) pyrazinediium dibromide (Bureau 2005, Forest Health Staff 2006, Forestry 2011, Foundation 2012). Glyphosate can result in greater than 80% control (Thorsness et al. 1992 in Miklovic). However, T. angustifolia can survive glyphosate application up to concentrations of 2.4 mg/L (Gustinasari et al., 2021). Chemical control is seasonally dependent and has the highest efficacy rate in the late summer months when the species is actively growing (Linz and Homan, 2011).

Wick, broom, and/or foliar applications are appropriate techniques for these herbicides (Bansal et al., 2019, Borland et al. 2009, Forest Health Staff 2006, Ohio EPA 2001). Due to the energy reserves in the extensive root system, re-treatments may be necessary (Ohio EPA 2001).

The combination of chemical and fire treatments negatively impacted marsh wren populations but did not impact dragonflies or damselfly abundances (Bruggman, 2017).

Note: Check state/provincial and local regulations for the most up-to-date information regarding permits for control methods. Follow all label instructions. 

See also:

Midwest Invasive Plant Network Invasive Plant Control Database