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Typha domingensis
Typha domingensis
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Typha domingensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Typhaceae
Genus: Typha
Species:
T. domingensis
Binomial name
Typha domingensis
Synonyms[2]

Typha angustata Bory & Chaub.

Typha domingensis, known commonly as southern cattail[3] or cumbungi, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Typha.

Distribution and habitat

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It is found throughout temperate and tropical regions worldwide.[4] It is sometimes found as a subdominant associate in mangrove ecosystems such as the Petenes mangroves ecoregion of Yucatán.[5]

Uses

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In the Mesopotamian Marshes of southern Iraq, Khirret is a dessert made from the pollen of this plant.[6] In Turkish folk medicine the female inflorescences of this plant and other Typha are used externally to treat wounds such as burns. Extracts of T. domingensis have been demonstrated to have wound healing properties in rat models.[7]

Water extracts of the fruit, female flower and male flower of Typha domingensis exhibit iron chelating activity as well as superoxide and nitric oxide scavenging activities. By contrast, only the fruit and female flower extracts were found to have alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity.[8] A partially purified, proanthocyanidin-rich butanol fraction of the fruit was shown to be a competitive inhibitor of alpha-glucosidase, which also had concurrent antioxidant activity.[9]

Recently it was found that Typha domingensis is very effective at reducing bacterial contamination of water for agricultural use. This plant helps to reduce, up to 98 percent, pollution by enterobacteria (usually found in the intestines of mammals) involved in the development of disease.[10]

Usage in Mexico

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The Southern Cattail grows between 2.0 and 2.5 meters in length and has flat sheaths to protect its core. It thrives in marshes and ecosystems where the land has a similarity to wetlands. It can also survive in high salinity water sources, making it much more resilient than similar species to this kind of cattail. The Southern Cattail originated in the Southern United States, and transitioned its way to other ecosystems from Iran to Mexico through human intervention.[7] In Mexico, this invasive species has proven to be beneficial to local ecosystems rather than a nuisance to it.[8] Aside from being a filter for some of the water's quality, the surrounding villages that dwell within the circumference of the lake benefit from both the Southern Cattail and its similar species, the Southern Bulrush, by its ability to be used in artisanal crafts and due to their wider reed sheaths which eased the weaving process.[10]

Areas where the cattail and bulrush is harvested in much larger methods, such as the coastal areas of San Jeronimo, Patzcuaro and Tzintzuntzan, Michoacán seem to exhibit larger than average cattail sizes, lengths, and population density. It's within these areas that at times, the amount of reproducing cattail can prove to be too much as it overruns some farm land, so its planned from the surrounding villagers to be routinely harvested and cut down to a reasonable size monthly or whenever the population rises to an overrunning size. This is especially common during the months of August and September, the rainiest months that the surrounding villages seem to experience during the last months of Summer.[5]

With such a large density, this also proves to be beneficial to the surrounding organisms which live near the lake such as the Lake Patzcuaro Garter Snake, which thrives near the cattail closest to the lake. Creating a thick shade for the snakes, they also make this an area to not only reproduce but also protect their young which can protect against other predators which surround the lake such as the hawk species of the Red-Tailed Hawk and occasional larger snake species which also thrives within the lake.[11]

With all these benefits that it gives to the ecosystem, the largest benefit this species has provided was the reduction of the water's pollution from external sources. When some water containing animal fecal matter was placed in the same water as the cattail species in an experiment done within the Helmholtz center in Germany with support from the National Council of Science and Technology in Mexico, it was discovered to have filtered around 98% of the bacteria found within the water.[12] This discovery showed that this invasive species had the potential to reduce the biological impact these bacteria could have not only on the surrounding animals, but also surrounding humans which have used the lake as their main source of water for generations.

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Typha domingensis, commonly known as southern cattail, is a in the family , characterized by its stout rhizomatous , erect unbranched stems reaching 1.5–4 m in height, long linear leaves 6–18 mm wide, and distinctive inflorescences with separate cylindrical spikes of densely packed male (staminate) and female (pistillate) flowers, the latter developing into brown sausage-shaped fruiting heads up to 35 cm long. This species exhibits a broad , native to warm-temperate and tropical regions across the , , , and parts of , with occurrences in over 100 countries and introduced populations in areas such as , , and parts of . It thrives in a variety of habitats, including freshwater marshes, brackish estuaries, riverbanks, lake shores, sedge meadows, and roadside ditches, tolerating fluctuating water levels from 0–2 m depth, saline substrates, nutrient enrichment, and polluted conditions at elevations up to 2000 m. Ecologically, T. domingensis is highly productive, yielding 1000–1700 g/m² dry weight annually through rapid via rhizomes, often forming dense monocultures that can outcompete native vegetation and alter in disturbed or eutrophic . It serves as a key component in wetland ecosystems, providing and nesting material for birds like red-winged blackbirds, for muskrats and other mammals via its rhizomes and seeds (up to 700,000 achenes per ), and host for insects including moths, aphids, and beetles. Notably invasive in regions like the Florida Everglades and , it is valued for , accumulating heavy metals such as copper and nickel, and has traditional uses in crafts, , fiber extraction for composites, and as a and medicinal source.

Taxonomy

Classification

Typha domingensis belongs to the kingdom Plantae, clade Tracheophyta, clade Angiosperms, clade Monocots, order Poales, family Typhaceae, genus Typha, and species level as T. domingensis. This placement aligns with the APG IV system, which recognizes Typhaceae as a distinct family of monocotyledonous flowering plants characterized by emergent aquatic or semi-aquatic habits. Within Typhaceae, the family encompasses two genera: and Sparganium. Typha is distinguished by its unisexual flowers aggregated into dense, cylindrical spikes, with male and female inflorescences typically separated, whereas Sparganium features bisexual flowers in globular heads. This generic separation reflects morphological adaptations to and habitat, with Typha species like T. domingensis showing a in wetlands. The species Typha domingensis was first recognized and described as distinct by Christiaan Hendrik Persoon in his Synopsis plantarum in 1807, based on specimens from the region. Prior classifications treated and the related Sparganiaceae as separate families, but molecular and morphological evidence has supported merging Sparganium into since the APG III system (2009), as recognized in APG IV.

Synonyms and etymology

Typha domingensis was first described by the Dutch Christiaan Hendrik Persoon in his Synopsis plantarum in 1807. The type specimen was collected in , in what is now the . The specific epithet "domingensis" derives from "Santo Domingo," referring to the locality of the original collection. Due to historical taxonomic confusion with closely related species in the genus , particularly T. angustifolia, T. domingensis has accumulated numerous synonyms over time. Representative synonyms include Typha angustata Bory & Chaub., Typha australis Schumach., Typha brevistylis Godr., Typha javanica Zollinger ex Steud., and Typha angustifolia subsp. domingensis (Pers.) Rohrb.. These nomenclatural variations reflect early challenges in distinguishing subtle morphological differences among cattail species, but T. domingensis remains the accepted name under current .

Description

Morphology

Typha domingensis is a robust, characterized by erect, unbranched shoots that typically reach heights of 2.0–3.0 meters, though they can range from 1.5 to 4.0 meters depending on environmental conditions. The stems are slender, green, and herbaceous, arising directly from extensive rhizomes, with flowering shoots measuring 1–2 cm in diameter at the middle and tapering to 3–4 mm near the . These stems lack bloom and support a single terminal , contributing to the plant's overall upright, reed-like appearance in environments. The leaves are primarily basal and cauline, arranged in two ranks and mostly ascending, with open sheaths that have membranous sides and broadly clear margins; the sheath summits taper into the or form persistent membranous auricles. The blades are long and narrow, linear, flat or slightly C-shaped in cross-section, yellowish-green in color, and 6–18 mm wide when fresh (5–15 mm when dry), with lengths often equaling or exceeding the height. Numerous orange-brown glands are present on the sheaths and the proximal 1–10 cm of the blades, aiding in identification. The consists of thick, creeping rhizomes that extend horizontally, producing numerous adventitious roots and enabling the formation of dense, clonal colonies that can spread vegetatively over large areas. The is a distinctive terminal, cylindrical spike, with the upper staminate () portion separated from the lower pistillate () portion by a naked axis of 0–8 cm, creating a continuous gap that persists after . The staminate spike is approximately 1.4 times longer than the pistillate one, reaching 7–30 cm in length and 1 cm thick at , while the pistillate spike measures 6–35 cm long and 5–6 mm wide at flowering, expanding to 15–25 mm in fruit. Mature spikes turn brown, with the staminate flowers featuring 2–2.5 mm yellow anthers tipped in orange-brown, and pistillate flowers developing into 8–9 mm fruits on peg-like pedicels. Compared to the closely related , T. domingensis exhibits narrower leaves and a pronounced gap between the male and female flower parts, whereas T. latifolia has broader leaves (typically >10 mm) and contiguous spike portions without a clear separation.

Reproduction and growth

Typha domingensis exhibits a herbaceous growth habit, with new shoots emerging from extensive systems in spring, typically around in temperate to subtropical regions. These store carbohydrates accumulated during the , enabling the to regrow annually after dying back to the underground portions in winter. The seasonal cycle involves rapid aboveground accumulation from spring through summer, peaking around with maximum dry weight reported at approximately 6327 g m⁻², followed by and nutrient translocation to in autumn. Asexual reproduction predominates in established populations, occurring primarily through the proliferation and fragmentation of , which form dense clonal colonies. tips grow horizontally and then vertically to produce new ramets, allowing rapid vegetative spread in favorable conditions; rhizomes can remain viable for 17–22 months and maintain connections between ramets for up to two years. This mode of propagation enables T. domingensis to colonize and expand within habitats efficiently, often outpacing sexual recruitment in mature stands. Sexual reproduction involves wind-pollinated monoecious inflorescences, with male spikes above female spikes releasing that is dispersed anemophilously, facilitating cross-pollination on windy days or in calm conditions. Female spikes mature into dense clusters of tiny achenes (1–2 mm long) attached to fluffy pistil hairs, which aid in wind or dispersal of the lightweight . Flowering ramets differentiate in spring and become fertile by early summer, with fruits maturing in late summer; high rhizome carbohydrate reserves promote successful seed production and establishment, which can occur in both submerged and emergent conditions. The demonstrates vigorous growth, characterized by fast-spreading in nutrient-rich, moist environments, supported by aerenchymatous air cavities in the stems that enhance and internal gas transport. Once established, elongation and shoot production allow for quick formation of monotypic stands, with overall biomass dynamics reflecting an annual cycle adapted to seasonal fluctuations.

Distribution and habitat

Geographic range

Typha domingensis is native to and subtropical regions worldwide, with a broad distribution spanning the , , , and . In the , it is widespread from the — including states such as , , , and —through , , and southward to . This native range encompasses diverse systems across these continents, reflecting its adaptation to warm-temperate and tropical climates. Specific locales highlight its prevalence in North American wetlands, such as the nutrient-enriched marshes of the Florida Everglades and brackish systems in . It also occurs as a subdominant species in mangrove-associated ecosystems, including the Petenes mangroves ecoregion along the in . In Africa, it is particularly abundant in tropical zones, while in and , it occupies subtropical habitats from the Mediterranean basin to and . Historical evidence, including pre-colonial use by Indigenous groups like the in central Mexico's basin, confirms its long-standing presence in the Americas prior to European contact. The species has expanded or been introduced into some temperate zones through human-mediated dispersal, such as in parts of (e.g., ) and select Pacific islands like . In , while largely native to subtropical areas, anthropogenic activities have facilitated its spread into additional regions. These introductions often occur in disturbed or eutrophic wetlands, though it remains most dominant in its core native .

Habitat preferences

Typha domingensis is a specialist that thrives as an emergent in a variety of freshwater and brackish environments, including marshes, swamps, riverbanks, lake edges, ponds, ditches, canals, and disturbed wet areas such as mud flats and stormwater basins. It prefers nutrient-rich, eutrophic waters and anaerobic soils, often colonizing sites with high and fluctuating water levels. This species exhibits notable tolerance to environmental stressors, including high levels up to brackish conditions (approximately 8,000 mg/L NaCl) and a broad range from 6 to 10, enabling it to occupy coastal marshes, estuaries, and alkaline wetlands where other cattails may falter. It favors shallow standing water depths of up to 1.5 m for optimal growth, though it can tolerate deeper flooding up to 2 m and requires anaerobic conditions post-resprouting to maintain vigor. Typha domingensis performs best in warm temperate to tropical climates, with optimal growth in full sun and temperatures ranging from 22.5–25°C, extending its range up to 40°N in regions with frost-free periods. It shows resilience in disturbed, nutrient-enriched habitats but relies on adequate light exposure and seasonal rainfall for establishment.

Ecology

Ecosystem roles

_Typha domingensis plays a crucial role in wetland ecosystems by providing and stabilizing environmental conditions. Its extensive rhizomatous systems bind particles, effectively reducing shoreline and preventing resuspension in dynamic water flows. Additionally, the plant filters sediments and pollutants from water, serving as a that improves for downstream uses. In terms of nutrient cycling, T. domingensis acts as an efficient accumulator of excess nutrients and , facilitating in contaminated wetlands. Studies in eutrophic systems like Lake Burullus, , demonstrate its ability to uptake and translocate elements such as , , , and lead from water and sediments into its , with higher concentrations often observed in and rhizomes during peak growth seasons. This process aids in mitigating and metal toxicity, promoting overall without external interventions. The species supports by forming dense emergent stands that offer shelter and microhabitats for various aquatic and semi-aquatic organisms. Furthermore, its high production—often exceeding 1,000 g/m² dry weight annually—contributes significantly to , with T. domingensis-dominated marshes storing substantial organic carbon in soils and vegetation, as observed in tropical riverine systems where they account for up to 46% of total carbon stocks.

Interactions with wildlife and invasiveness

Typha domingensis serves as a source for various waterfowl, particularly through its seeds, which are consumed by several . The plant also provides nesting habitat for birds, including red-winged blackbirds and some waterfowl that utilize the dense stands for protection and breeding. In specific ecosystems like in , T. domingensis supports the endemic (Thamnophis eques patzcuaroensis), with snakes frequently observed coiled around the plant's reeds for shelter. The species experiences herbivory from muskrats, which graze on leaves, stems, and rhizomes, sometimes decimating stands in temperate regions. Insects such as aphids and the snout beetle Colandra pertinax feed on the leaves and stems, contributing to natural population control. Additionally, bees forage on the pollen of Typha species, including T. domingensis, although it provides limited nutritional value compared to other sources. T. domingensis exhibits invasive tendencies in -enriched wetlands, where it proliferates via rhizomes and forms dense monotypic stands that outcompete native vegetation. This behavior is exacerbated by increased inputs from anthropogenic sources, leading to alteration in systems like the Florida Everglades and other U.S. wetlands. The plant hybridizes with , producing offspring with variable fertility, though some hybrids exhibit aggressive spread due to hybrid vigor in disturbed . These hybrids contribute to the broader invasiveness of taxa in North American wetlands by forming persistent stands that further displace native species.

Uses

Traditional and cultural applications

Typha domingensis has been utilized by indigenous communities for crafting items from its leaves and stems, particularly in traditions. In , the people around harvest the plant, known locally as chuspatel, to create mats, baskets, hats, and thatch roofing, integrating it into their artisanal economy and cultural practices as a substitute for native bulrushes. Similarly, Native American groups such as the have employed the stalks for matting, bedding, and ceremonial bundles, while tribes like the Pima wove leaves into mats and split flower stalks for baskets. The plant's edible parts have featured in traditional diets across various regions. Young shoots and roots are consumed raw or cooked by communities in arid zones like , , where inner stems provide a sweet snack. In the of southern , from the male inflorescences is harvested to make khirret, a traditional mixed with or dates, valued for its nutritional content in local Arab . Indigenous groups in the of , including the Toba and Mocoví, have historically gathered and eaten the as a source, though its use has declined due to cultural changes. Regionally, Typha domingensis supports diverse cultural applications beyond food and weaving. In , its leaves contribute to artisanal products sold in local markets, sustaining heritage crafts. In , , stems and leaves are fashioned into fishing traps, boats, mats, curtains, and storage baskets, while inflorescences fill pillows for insulation. Some Native American cultures, such as the , have used stalks to craft toy arrows, reflecting the plant's versatility in traditional play and tools.

Medicinal and environmental uses

Extracts from the fruits, female flowers, and male flowers of Typha domingensis have demonstrated significant activity, scavenging free radicals such as and , as well as iron-chelating properties that inhibit metal-catalyzed oxidation. These bioactivities are attributed to high levels of and identified in analyses. In terms of antidiabetic potential, solvent extracts and fractions from the fruits of T. domingensis exhibit strong inhibition of α-glucosidase, an enzyme involved in carbohydrate digestion, with the n-butanol fraction showing potent inhibition (EC50 = 4.27 μg/mL) . This inhibitory effect, combined with capabilities, suggests a role in managing postprandial in , though supported primarily by and studies. For , the female flower inflorescences of T. domingensis have shown efficacy in animal models, promoting significant closure in excision and incision models on rats and mice, comparable to standard treatments like madecassoside. This activity, observed in studies conducted in , is linked to and hemostatic effects, aligning with traditional topical applications. Environmentally, T. domingensis serves as an effective phytoremediator in , accumulating such as , lead, and mercury from industrial and municipal effluents, with roots and rhizomes showing preferential uptake over sediments. In constructed wetlands, it facilitates filtration and pollutant removal, achieving 67-92% reduction in contaminants like nutrients and metals through processes including adsorption, precipitation, and plant uptake. For instance, vertical subsurface flow systems planted with T. domingensis have demonstrated high efficiency in removal from simulated . The of T. domingensis holds promise for industrial applications, particularly in production, where its lignocellulosic content supports yields. Additionally, it can be processed into pulp for paper production via autohydrolysis and alkaline delignification in frameworks. Despite these findings, research on T. domingensis remains limited to assays, animal models, and pilot-scale environmental studies, with few clinical trials to validate medicinal efficacy in humans. Promising preliminary results underscore the need for further investigation into scalable applications.

Conservation

Status and threats

Typha domingensis is classified as Least Concern on the due to its extensive global distribution across wetlands in tropical and subtropical regions, spanning from to , , and . This assessment, conducted in 2019, reflects the species' resilience and lack of major global threats, with populations occurring in diverse aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats that buffer against widespread decline. However, regional variations exist, and the species is monitored in vulnerable ecosystems to track any localized pressures. Primary threats to T. domingensis include habitat loss from wetland drainage for agriculture and urbanization, which disrupts essential hydrological regimes and leads to catastrophic dieback in affected areas. Additionally, climate change exacerbates these issues by altering wetland hydrology through altered precipitation patterns and sea-level rise, potentially shifting salinity and water availability in coastal and inland marshes. An interesting conservation paradox arises with T. domingensis: while the species is not globally threatened and can even become invasive in disturbed habitats, it experiences local declines in native ranges. Overall population trends remain stable, supported by the plant's prolific reproduction and adaptability, though ongoing monitoring occurs in sensitive areas such as mangrove-adjacent wetlands where hydrological changes could amplify competitive pressures.

Management and protection

Typha domingensis is protected within numerous reserves across its native range, including 83 conservation areas in where it maintains native status, contributing to the preservation of wetland . In restoration efforts, the species is planted using bare , container-grown seedlings, or direct seeding to rehabilitate degraded marshes, particularly in areas with moving water to enhance stabilization and habitat recovery. For instance, it is employed in constructed wetlands for , where its root systems accumulate heavy metals like and lead from contaminated sediments, improving water quality in polluted sites such as those near , . Where Typha domingensis acts as an , particularly in nutrient-enriched farmlands and altered wetlands, control strategies include mechanical methods like repeated mowing or cutting after seed heads form, which can reduce populations by up to 75% when followed by a second treatment on regrowth. applications, such as , provide short-term suppression when combined with flooding, though regrowth from rhizomes often necessitates integrated approaches. Biological controls remain under investigation, with exploratory use of fungi showing potential for neotropical regions, but no approved agents are currently available. Sustainable harvesting practices in emphasize multiple cuts per year—up to four times—on central wetlands near , which reduce Typha domingensis density and height while promoting plant diversity through increased light penetration and recruitment of understory species like grasses and short forbs. These guidelines prevent by allowing full recovery of starch reserves within one year, avoiding long-term depletion and supporting economic viability for local communities without compromising ecosystem health. The species is integrated into broader wetland management plans, such as those in the Florida Everglades, where hydrological restoration and nutrient reduction strategies balance its ecological roles against invasive tendencies. Monitoring occurs through frameworks like the IUCN Red List, classifying Typha domingensis as Least Concern globally due to its widespread distribution, with ongoing assessments tracking population stability in response to habitat alterations. Local monitoring programs, including post-management surveys of macroinvertebrate assemblages, evaluate the impacts of control efforts on associated fauna in sites like Palo Verde Wetland, Costa Rica.

References

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