What is "typha latifolia"

Bulrush \Bul"rush`\ (b[.u]l"r[u^]sh`), n. [OE. bulrysche, bolroysche; of uncertain origin, perh. fr. bole stem + rush.] (Bot.) A kind of large rush, growing in wet land or in water.

Note: The name bulrush is applied in England especially to the cat-tail ( Typha latifolia and Typha angustifolia) and to the lake club-rush ( Scirpus lacustris); in America, to the Juncus effusus, and also to species of Scirpus or club-rush. [1913 Webster] ||

cattail \cat"tail\, Cat-tail \Cat"-tail\(k[a^]t"t[=a]l), n. (Bot.) A tall erect rush or flag ( Typha latifolia) growing widely in fresh and salt marshes, with long, flat, sword-shaped leaves, having clusters of small brown flowers in a dense cylindrical spike at the top of the stem; -- called also bulrush and reed mace. The leaves are frequently used for seating chairs, making mats, etc. See Catkin.

Note: The lesser cat-tail is Typha angustifolia.

Flag \Flag\, n. [From Flag to hang loose, to bend down.] (Bot.) An aquatic plant, with long, ensiform leaves, belonging to either of the genera Iris and Acorus.

Cooper's flag, the cat-tail ( Typha latifolia), the long leaves of which are placed between the staves of barrels to make the latter water-tight.

Corn flag. See under 2d Corn.

Flag broom, a coarse of broom, originally made of flags or rushes.

Flag root, the root of the sweet flag.

Sweet flag. See Calamus, n., 2.

Water torch \Wa"ter torch`\ (Bot.) The common cat-tail ( Typha latifolia), the spike of which makes a good torch soaked in oil.
--Dr. Prior.

Typha latifolia (broadleaf cattail, bulrush, common bulrush, common cattail, great reedmace, cooper's reed, cumbungi) is a perennial herbaceous plant in the genus Typha. It is found as a native plant species in North and South America, Europe, Eurasia, and Africa. In Canada, broadleaf cattail occurs in all provinces and also in the Yukon and Northwest Territories, and in the United States, it is native to all states except Hawaii. It is an introduced and invasive species, and considered a noxious weed, in Australia and Hawaii. It is not native but has been reported in Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines.

Typha latifolia has been found in a variety of climates, including tropical, subtropical, southern and northern temperate, humid coastal, and dry continental. It is found at elevations from sea level to 7,500 feet (2,300 m).

Typha latifolia is an "obligate wetland" species, meaning that it is always found in or near water. The species generally grows in flooded areas where the water depth does not exceed 2.6 feet (0.8 meters). However, it has also been reported growing in floating mats in slightly deeper water. T. latifolia grows mostly in fresh water but also occurs in slightly brackish marshes. The species can displace other species native to salt marshes upon reduction in salinity. Under such conditions the plant may be considered invasive, since it interferes with preservation of the salt marsh habitat.

Typha latifolia shares its range with other related species, and hybridizes with Typha angustifolia, narrow-leaf cattail, to form Typha × glauca (Typha angustifolia × T. latifolia), white cattail. Common cattail is usually found in shallower water than narrow-leaf cattail.

The plant is 1.5 to 3 metres (5 to 10 feet) high and it has 2–4 cm (¾ to 1½ inch) broad leaves, and will generally grow out in to 0.75 to 1 metre (2 to 3 feet) of water depth.

Typha latifolia is called totora, espadaña común, tule espidilla, or piriope in Spanish; roseau des étangs in French; tifa or mazzasorda in Italian, and tabua-larga in Portuguese.