Hennepin and Hopper Lakes 2

Typha angustifolia (Narrow-Leaved Cattail)

Typha angustifolia is a highly invasive plant that grows in moist to saturated soils such as those in marshes, ditches, and along the edges of lakes. Some say that this plant is native, while others would largely disagree and say that it is exotic since it is not exactly known if this plant was in North America before pre-settlement times.This plant is distinguished from Typha latifolia by its long and thin leaves (1/2 '' wide and 6' long) coming from a single point of origin. Most importantly, this plant has a gap between the pistillate and the staminate flowers whereas, T. latifolia does not. From recent observations, Phragmites australis outcompetes T. angustifolia, but the latter outcompetes Typha latifolia in the same habitat.

Typha latifolia (Broad-leaved cattail)

   Broadleaf cattail is a wetland plant native to many parts of the world. Some sources say that broadleaf cattail is native to North America, Europe, Asia, northern Africa and even India. In the United States, it is native to the lower 48, but a noxious invasive plant in Hawaii. Broadleaf cattail can be found in marshes, riverbanks, swamps, seeps, ditches, and other moist areas.

   Broadleaf cattail is characterized by very long leaves originating from a central portion of the plant. The flowers and the seed head is a large cylindrical body. This plant is highly aggressive and can form large monotypic stands. Today, this plant is being outcompeted by Phragmites australis and Typha latifolia (two highly invasive exotic weeds).