Southern Cat-tail

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Southern Cat-tail
• cattail
• lesser reed-mace
• narrow-leaf cumbungi
• southern bulrush
• southern cattail

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Typha angustata var. gracilis
• Typha angustifolia proles australis
• Typha domingensis subsp. australis
• Typha angustifolia subsp. javanica
• Typha domingensis f. strimonii
• Typha basedowii
• Typha macranthelia
• Typha latifolia subsp. domingensis
• Typha angustifolia var. tenuispicata
• Typha angustifolia var. saulseana
• Typha gigantea
• Typha salgirica
• Typha javanica
• Typha domingensis var. australis
• Typha domingensis var. javanica
• Typha domingensis var. sachetiae
• Typha ehrenbergii
• Typha australis
• Typha bracteata
• Typha brownii
• Typha damiattica
• Typha essequeboensis
• Typha angustifolia var. virginica
• Typha americana
• Typha angustifolia var. domingensis
• Typha angustifolia subsp. domingensis
• Typha angustifolia var. australis
• Typha angustifolia subsp. australis
• Typha angustifolia var. brownii
• Typha angustata var. abyssinica
• Typha angustata subsp. aethiopica
• Typha angustata var. aethiopica
• Typha angustata var. leptocarpa
• Typha abyssinica
• Typha aequalis
• Typha aethiopica
• Typha spiralis
• Typha tenuifolia
• Typha truxillensis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Poales, it is classified under the family Typhaceae and the genus Typha.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several distinct regions of Europe. In Middle Europe, its presence is noted within the borders of Switzerland. Moving toward the Mediterranean, it can be found throughout various parts of Southwestern Europe. Specifically, its range includes the islands of the Baleares and Corse. Finally, the species is also distributed across the mainland territories of France and Portugal.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Typha dominigensis is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, occurring from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 2000 m AMSL. This species exhibits significant ecological plasticity, inhabiting a diverse array of environments ranging from anthropized areas (Área Antrópica) to complex natural ecosystems. Its presence is noted in Perennial Seasonal Forests (Floresta Estacional Perenifólia), Ombrophilous Forests (Floresta Ombrófila/Pluvial), and Restinga formations. Furthermore, its ecological niche is strongly tied to aquatic environments, as evidenced by its occurrence in aquatic vegetation (Vegetação Aquática), where it plays a functional role in wetland ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Floresta Estacional Perenifólia, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Restinga, Vegetação Aquática

Life history

The life history of Typha domingetis is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons and maintain long-term presence in its habitat. Structurally, it exhibits a complex life form, functioning as both a helophyte and a cryptophyte. As a helophyte, it possesses aerial parts that emerge above the water surface during the growing season, while its cryptophyte nature ensures that its vital organs are protected underground or beneath the substrate, facilitating survival during unfavorable environmental conditions.

Life form :

helophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Typha dominigensis is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It functions as a self-supporting, independent organism rather than a climber or a parasite, and it is classified as a terrestrial plant rather than an aquatic or epiphytic species. The plant exhibits an erect shoot orientation, with its physical stature varying significantly depending on environmental conditions; while the minimum recorded plant height is 0.7 m and the mean height is approximately 2.3 m, it has the capacity to reach a maximum height of up to 30 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30 m

Plant height mean:

2.3 m

Plant height min:

0.7 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Typha dominigensis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation efficiency. The plant's vegetative structure is defined by an alternate leaf arrangement, featuring elongated, linear leaves that vary significantly in size. On average, the leaves maintain a length of 95 cm, though they can range from a minimum of 40 cm to a maximum of 150 cm. In terms of lateral expansion, the leaf width is relatively narrow, with a mean width of 0.55 cm, ranging from a minimum of 0.3 cm to a maximum of 0.9 cm. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on external soil nutrient availability to support its physiological requirements.

Leaf arrangement :

alternate

Leaf length max:

150 cm

Leaf length mean:

95 cm

Leaf length min:

40 cm

Leaf width max:

0.9 cm

Leaf width mean:

0.55 cm

Leaf width min:

0.3 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Typha dominensis is characterized by a monoecious sexual reproductive system, where self-fertilization is noted as absent. The flowering period typically commences in May and concludes in August, utilizing an abiotic pollination syndrome specifically driven by the wind. Following successful pollination, the plant produces dry fruits with a consistent length of 0.12 cm. These fruits are highly prolific, containing more than 1000 seeds per fruit. The seeds themselves are extremely minute, with a mean mass of $9.945 \times 10^{-5}$ g (ranging from $4 \times 10^{-5}$ g to $0.00016$ g) and a uniform seed volume of 0.0082 mm³. To facilitate the spread of the species, Typha dominensis employs an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on wind to transport its lightweight seeds to new locations.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

0.12 cm

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Reproduction sexual :

monoecious

Seed mass max:

0.00016 g

Seed mass mean:

9.945e-05 g

Seed mass min:

4e-05 g

Seed volume max:

0.0082 mm³

Seeds_per_fruit :

>1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Typha domingensis has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1,3,4,5-Tetracaffeoylquinic acid, Deoxycaesaldekarin C, Diisooctyl phthalate, Fatty acids, Gallic acid.

1,3,4,5-Tetracaffeoylquinic acid

1. Frontiers in chemistry

Deoxycaesaldekarin C

1. BioMed research international

Diisooctyl phthalate

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Fatty acids

1. BioMed research international

Gallic acid

1. Frontiers in chemistry

Phytosterol

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

STIGMASTEROL

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Sitosterol

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

fatty acid esters

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

kaempferol

1. Frontiers in chemistry

Activities

Typha domingensis has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Cytotoxic.

Antibacterial

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Cytotoxic

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Medicinal Uses

Typha domingensis has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antioxidant, neurological disorders.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations