Taxonomical and Pharmacological Status of Typha: A Review

Abstract

Cattail or Typha is a genus of plants. It is found in wetland habitats. They are usually found in the Northern Hemisphere, but sometimes found in wetlands elsewhere. These plants recognized in British English as reedmace or bullrush and in American English as punks or cattail. In North America 3 species are well known, T. latifolia (broadleaf cattail), T. angustifolia (narrow leaf cattail), and southern cattail (T. dominensis). Broadleaf and southern cattails are considered native to North America. All three species are early colonizers of wetlands and compete with native wetland herbs because of their seeds dispersed by wind and rapid growth of their underground stems (rhizomes). Cattails were once used to make paper. Cattail paper is very heavy and coarse, and is rarely used today. Toxic chemical such as arsenic from drinking water has been removed by cattail because it serve as water filter. The current review discuss with the origin, distribution, chemical composition, taxonomic status and pharmacological studies.