Broadleaf Cattail (Typha latifolia), also known simply as Cattail or Common Cattail, is a tall, perennial wetland plant widely found across temperate and subtropical regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. Though not a true grass, it functions similarly within the pastoral and wetland grass typology, thriving in marshes, ponds, ditches, and the shallow margins of lakes and slow-moving streams.

It is easily recognized by its flat, strap-like leaves and distinctive brown, cylindrical flower spikes that resemble a hotdog on a stick. These dense flower heads contain thousands of tiny seeds dispersed by wind or water.

Cattails play an essential ecological role by filtering pollutants, stabilizing wetland soils, and providing food and habitat for birds, amphibians, and insects. Historically, they have been used by humans for weaving, insulation, and even food. With their aggressive rhizome systems, Typha latifolia often dominates wetland landscapes, contributing to both restoration and natural succession processes.