Typha sp.
Cattail, Cattail
Family: Typhaceae · Type: Perennial · Variable; species dependent
Typha sp. (Cattail) is a non-native California perennial in the Typhaceae family.
How to tell it apart
vs Schoenoplectus: Typha has wide flat leaves and cylindrical brown spikes; Schoenoplectus has round leafless stems.; vs Iris: Typha has cylindrical brown spikes; Iris has large showy flowers with 3 petals.; vs Leymus: Typha has brown cylindrical spikes; Leymus has typical grass seed heads.; vs Juncus: Typha has wide flat leaves and brown cylindrical spikes; Juncus has round stems and small brown flowers.; vs Sporobolus: Typha has distinctive brown cylindrical spikes; Sporobolus has open, branching grass inflorescences.
Frequently asked questions
Is Typha sp. native to California?
No. Typha sp. is not native to California (recorded as variable; species dependent).
What plant family does Typha sp. belong to?
Typha sp. is in the Typhaceae family, genus Typha.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.