CAT-TAIL FAMILY 
( Typhacece) 
The members of this family are very abundant aquatic 
herbs with perennial roots. We have two species with 
differences as noted below. Both have staminate yel¬ 
low flowers in a spike above pistillate brown ones; the 
former soon fall or blow away, while the latter develop 
into the large, familiar, brown cat-tail that is often 
used for decorative purposes. 
(A) Common Cat-tail (Typha latifolia) has yellowish 
staminate flowers encircling the upper end of the flower 
stalk, and immediately below a long cylindrical mass of 
brownish pistillate ones. The pollen grains are ar¬ 
ranged in fours. Leaves three to eight feet long, sheath¬ 
ing at the base. Found in marshes throughout the 
United States and southern Canada, flowering in June 
and July. 
(B) Narrow-leaved Cat-tail (Typha angustifolia) 
lias narrower leaves, averaging less than % in. broad. 
The two kinds of flowers are separated by a bare space of 
stalk and the pollen grains are simple. 
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