cattail

/ˌkætˈteɪl/

/ˈkætteɪl/

Other forms: cattails

Definitions of cattail

1. noun

   tall erect herbs with sword-shaped leaves; cosmopolitan in fresh and salt marshes
   types:

   Typha latifolia, bullrush, bulrush, cat's-tail, nailrod, reed mace, reedmace

   tall marsh plant with cylindrical seed heads that explode when mature shedding large quantities of down; its long flat leaves are used for making mats and chair seats; of North America, Europe, Asia and North Africa

   Typha angustifolia, lesser bullrush, narrow-leaf cattail, narrow-leaved reedmace, soft flag

   reed maces of America, Europe, North Africa, Asia

   type of:

   bog plant, marsh plant, swamp plant

   a semiaquatic plant that grows in soft wet land; most are monocots: sedge, sphagnum, grasses, cattails, etc; possibly heath