cattail

American  

[kat-teyl] / ˈkætˌteɪl /

noun

1. any tall, reedlike marsh plant of the genus Typha, especially T. latifolia, having long, sword-shaped leaves and dense, cylindrical clusters of minute brown flowers.

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Etymology

Origin of cattail

First recorded in 1425–75, cattail is from the late Middle English word cattestail. See cat, tail ¹

Example Sentences

A short walk along an irrigation canal leads to a weathered observation deck rising two stories above a patchwork of saturated flats where saltgrass, iodine bush and cattail take root.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

The ogress’ seaweed-and-grass-tangled hair and cattail headband wreath a massive papier-mâché head on a body made of bamboo foliage.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 17, 2023

Part of the plan involves reintroducing native plant species that are more appropriate to the site than Phragmites: narrowleaf cattail, pickerelweed, black willow, blue iris, buttonbush and alder.

From Washington Post • Sep. 11, 2021

The moment of seeing this belted kingfisher on the tip of a cattail, doing its call, swooping across the creek—and being so present in that moment—made me realize that I can actually enjoy my job.

From Scientific American • Jun. 5, 2020

The trout was tender, but the cattail tubers were tough.

From "Frightful's Mountain" by Jean Craighead George