Wetlands Nature Area

Cattails

Nearly everyone recognizes the cattail. The tall, flat leaves and brown fur-like growth on the flower stalk are unmistakable.

If you are here in early summer, the flower stalks will have two sections. The uppermost, male portion is covered with short "hairs" and contains the pollen. Under this is the velvety-green female portion.

After the male parts have given off their pollen, they fall, leaving only the female section, which turns brown and produces seeds — becoming the "cattail."

If you are here in winter and see seed heads that have not been blown away, chances are a cattail moth larva has moved in, binding the seed together with its silk, providing itself with a cozy winter home.

Cattails are used for food or cover by muskrats, red-winged blackbirds, sora rails, swamp sparrows and many other animals.

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