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

Green cattail thickets line the shallow blue pool where the river backs up against the dam, a 31-foot-high concrete wall.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 17, 2023

“The cattail would be good. The alders and the willows would be a nice improvement.”

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

Even a privacy half-wall flanking the bathroom toilet is art of the land, a flowing colorful piece that Walch made from willow, mud, cattail fiber and flaxseed.

From Washington Times • Jun. 25, 2017

When the fire was lit, he wrapped cattail tubers and trout in two large may- apple leaves and placed them in the oven.

From "Frightful's Mountain" by Jean Craighead George