The greater reedmace or broadleaf cattail (Typha latifolia Linnaeus) grows on muddy soil in water up to 60 centimeters (2 feet) deep. One of the most widespread plants, the broadleaf cattail can be found from the Arctic Circle to slightly south of the equator. Introduced to Australia, it has naturalized becoming a noxious weed.

The 'cattail' or inflorescence is a spike of tightly arranged flowers. At the top of the spike, the staminate (male) flowers arise directly from the central axis of the peduncle. After the pollen is shed, the male flowers drop leaving the top of the spike bare.

The pistillate (female) flowers are clustered on short outgrowths from the axis. Because the spike is a tightly packed cylinder, these clusters are not obvious. The female flowers at the very tip of these clusters are sterile and do not produce seeds.

The short stalk that supports each ovary has several long, soft bristles. While the seeds are maturing, the bristles remain folded close to the ovary. The bristles of the sterile female flowers serve to shed rain and dew protecting the flowers with developing seeds.

Once the flowers are pollinated, the 'cattail' is an infructescence—the ovaries become follicles (hard dry fruits). The cattail's color deepens to a dark brown as the seeds mature. Each pollinated flower will produce a single seed and each cattail may have one to two hundred-thousand pollinated flowers.

When the seed is ripe, the follicle's stalk abscisses (separates from the peduncle). The separation dries the bristles; they open away from the ovary/follicle becoming a parachute that catches the wind. With thousands of the seeds maturing at the same time, the cattail appears to burst.

Should the parachute land on dry soil, the bristles will remain in the open position. As long as the bristles are open, there is a chance that the wind may carry the seed to a favorable location. But should the parachute land on water, the bristles fold. This brings the follicle into contact with moisture. It splits and the seed drops out. The tiny seed is heavy for its size and sinks to the bottom of the water.

(Compiled from: Hortus Third, Staff L.H. Bailey Hortorium, New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Macmillan Publishing Co. 1976 and Guide to Flowering Plant Families, Wendy B. Zomlefer, University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, 1994)