Cattail (Thypa dominguensis) a macrophyte documented of Livingston

Thypa domingensis is an emerging rooted macrophyte, which we have seen in several areas of Livingston. This time it was documented in Laguna Grande. If you open its simple stem, you can see fiber inside which tulle can be made.

Cattail-Thypa-dominguensis-Laguna-Grande-Rio-Sarstun

Cattail (Thypa dominguensis) at Laguna Grande, Rio Sarstun, Livingston. October, 2021. Photo by Dr. Nicholas Hellmuth with iPhone 12 Pro Max, FLAAR Mesoamerica.

Typha domingensis Pers. It is a very striking plant and is frequently found in continental water bodies and on occasions it is used as a phytoremediation due to its nutrient absorption capacity to avoid accelerated eutrophication in water bodies or in wastewater treatment plants. It is described as an aquatic herb, leaves generally equaling or exceeding the height of the spikes, attenuated pods towards the blade up to 1.5 m long and 0.8 to 1.3 cm wide, acute apex. Its inflorescences are in the form of light monero spica with foliaceous bracts. The male spike is up to 42 cm long and 1.5 cm wide, generally separated from the female. The fruits are spindle-shaped, 1 to 1.5 mm long.

Typha domingensis it is commonly known as: Cattail, tule, tulle, body of water, cat's tail, breast tail, petalzmicua, savanna candle, tulle or passion reeds.

This species is often used for basketry and handicrafts. It is also used as fodder for animal feed, it also has medicinal properties for the treatment of the skin in issues of hair loss and burns. It can be used as shingle straw and as an ornamental ornament.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom	Plantae
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta
Division	Magnoliophyta
Class	Liliopsida
Order	Poales
Family	Typhaceae
Genus	Typha
Species	Typha dominguensis
Common names	Cattail, tule, tulle, body of water, cat's tail, breast tail, petalzmicua, savanna candle, tulle or passion reeds.ypha