The cattail (type Typha) is popularly known as lamp cleaner or chimney sweeper due to its eye-catching appearance with the characteristic, two-part inflorescences. These are dried in many regions and used as autumn decorations and in drying arrangements.
Cattail spreads very quickly
Limit the growth of the cattail
In the muddy soil of a riparian zone or other swampy location, the rhizomes of cattails spread widely within a few years. Therefore, cattails, which are often planted at the edges of ponds like reeds, should be housed in special plant baskets, which can prevent other plant species from being displaced and uncontrolled spread. In order to limit the further spread via self-seeding, you have to cut off the piston-like inflorescences in good time before the seeds ripen. Please note, however, that the above-ground pruning does not hinder the cattail in its growth. Pushing back rampant stocks requires clearing the rhizomes in the muddy subsoil, which requires some strength and the right tools.
The use of cattails
In the past, the inflorescences of the cattail were actually used as lamp cleaners, as the popular name suggests. Nowadays, cattails are valued above all for their water-clarifying effect, since the highly nutrient-depleting lamp cleaner literally removes the "breeding ground" for any algae growth. The cattail is well known as a decorative part of flower arrangements, but less well known is the possibility of consuming the starchy rhizomes like potatoes.
The properties of the cattail at a glance:
- Plant Family: Cattail family (Typhaceae)
- Distribution: worldwide from the tropics to temperate zones
- Growth form: herbaceous marsh and aquatic plant with strong rhizomes, hardy and perennial
- Flowers: the initially green, cylindrical spadix slowly turn brown, the upper part of the spadix is the male part of the flower, below that the female part
- Flowering time: between May and August, depending on the species
- Seed/Fruit: Tiny seeds with hairy threads, dispersal by water and wind
- Leaf shape: sessile leaves, grow stiffly upright
- Site requirements: sunny and permanently moist if possible, prefers rather acidic soil
- Care: Cutting back in spring promotes fresh shoots
- Use: well suited for cleaning the water in the garden pond, removes the nutrient base from algae growth
tips
Cattails can promote silting up in a garden biotope or swimming pond. In addition, the starchy rhizomes are a treat for voles, which is why liner ponds are sometimes prone to feeding holes from hungry rodents.