Typha latifolia

Habitat: Freshwater and slightly brackish (salty) tidal marshes, ponds, open swamps, sluggish streams and floodplain pools, calcareous marshes and fens, beaver impoundments, ditches, and other disturbed wetlands. Frequent to locally common throughout.

Wildlife Value: Birds use the cattail as nesting material. Rhizomes are a food source for small mammals.

Notes:  With influxes of nutrients or freshwater, cattails are aggressive invaders in both brackish salt marshes and freshwater wetlands.

Edibility: Parts of the plant are edible if picked at the appropriate time. Young shoots are picked at 4 to 16 inches long and can be eaten raw, cooked or pickled. The pollen can be used as flour. The rhizomes can be eaten raw, baked, roasted, or broiled.