Typha latifolia is a perennial aquatic herb that can reach up to 6.6 to 9.8 ft. (2-3 m) tall.
Foliage
Leaves are linear, erect, light green to greyish in color, thick, sword-shaped, and flat with a sheath near the base. 12 to 16 leaves can arise from each shoot
Flowers
Flowers are arranged on a dark brown, dense, cylindrical spike at the end of a stem with the male flowers at the top and female flowers below. Male flowers are brown, 0.19 to 0.5 in. (0.48-1.3 cm) long with 0.04 to 0.12 in. (1-3 mm) long anthers. Female flowers are 0.08 to 0.12 in. (2-3 mm) long, and pale green when in flower. Flowering occurs from May through June.
Fruit
Fruits come from female flowers and are brownish to blackish or even reddish mottled with white patches. They are very tiny and appear as a tufted nutlet.
Ecological Threat
Typha latifolia can be found in areas where the soil remains wet or even flooded for the entire growing season. It is native to all U.S, states except Hawaii.