Typha × glauca

Typha × glauca is a hybrid species of plant originating as a cross between T. angustifolia and T. latifolia. It shows invasive behavior in the Midwestern United States

Typha x glauca is an invasive hybrid species that originates as a cross between parent species, Typha angustifolia and Typha latifolia. T. latifolia is a broad-leaved cattail and T. angustifolia is a narrow-leaved cattail. The structure of Typha x glauca is an intermediate of its two parent species. It is an erect and emergent wetland plant that typically has an underwater base. Its habitat consists of wetlands, lakeshores, river backwaters, roadside ditches, disturbed wet areas, consistently damp patches of yards, areas with wet soil, and nutrient rich or slightly saline soils. Identification of this species can be difficult as it is a hybrid species and may be confused with its parent species. These cattails are typically between four and twelve inches.

Its leaves originate at the base of the stems and spread outward as they rise. The leaves are long, swordlike, and spongy and have parallel veins. The hybrid cattail’s leaves are typically 0.4-0.6” wide and often taller than the parent plants. The top of the leaf sheath has thin, ear-shaped lobes at the junction with the blade that often disappear in the summer. The inflorescences appear as a velvety brown, cylindrical spike that is located at the ends of the stem. The male portion is located above the female portion. The hybrid cattail has a 0.2-2” gap between the male and female flowers, a longer and thicker female flower section, and longer leaves. There is one seed in each of the single, tiny fruits in each flower. One plant can produce up to 250,000 seeds which would be wind-dispersed.

There are three cattail species that are commonly found in the upper Midwest of the United states. The common cattail (Typha latifolia) is native throughout North America and Eurasia. The narrow-leaved cattail (Typha angustifolia) is native to Eurasia but now well established throughout the United States. These cattails are abundant in the Midwest where they hybridize to form Typha x glauca. The original range of the hybrid includes the entire range of its parental species. It inhabits and invades wetland regions throughout the upper midwest of the United States.

The Typha species of cattail has been found to have a significantly high tolerance for some metals. These metals include copper and nickel. It appears that the plant has an internal tolerance mechanism for these metals that is inherent in the species. The Typha x glauca hybrid is also known for its ability to tolerate a variety of water depths as well as salinity levels. In terms of weather, the plant is also able to withstand widely variable hydroperiods and drought conditions. It does so by producing rhizomes that extend 1–2 meters below the soil surface, allowing it to survive prolonged inundation. It has been found to be able to survive temperatures as low as -13 degrees Celsius, and occupy an altitudinal range from 0 to 1800 meters. The plant seedlings are also able to tolerate anaerobic conditions, however, mature plants are not.