Typhaceae

Typha, was a name used by Theophrastus, assumed to be from the Greek typhe cat’s tail, referring to its appearance, or from typhos marsh, indicating habitat. Aquatic, perennial, rhizomatous plants; leaves emergent, alternate, distichous, linear. Flowers clustered into dense spikes, female flowers in lower portion, males above, perianth reduced to hairs. Fruit 1-seeded, perianth persistent and assists in the wind dispersal of the fruit (follicle).