Life Span
Perennial
Annual
Origin
Eastern Europe, Western Asia
Middle Africa, Southern Africa
Types
Common Cattail, Southern Cattail, Dwarf Bulrush
-
Habitat
Lake margins, Ponds, Swamps
Low Elevation, Woodlands
USDA Hardiness Zone
3-11
-9999
Sunset Zone
21,22
H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Upright/Erect
Vining/Climbing
Flower Color
Yellow, Green, Brown, Chocolate
Lemon yellow
Flower Color Modifier
-
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Light brown, Light Red
Green, Orange, Light Green, Dark Green, Orange Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Dark Green
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Dark Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Dark Green
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Brown
Light Green
Leaf Shape
Long linear and narrow
Heart-shaped
Plant Season
Summer, Fall, Winter
Summer, Fall
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Growth Rate
Fast
Very Fast
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam, Sand
Loam
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral
Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Poorly Drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall
Indeterminate
Tolerances
Wet Site
Drought
Where to Plant?
Container, In Water
Ground
How to Plant?
Runners
reseeds, Seedlings
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Requirements
Plant grows in water
Do not water excessively
In Summer
Aquatic Plant
Lots of watering
In Spring
Aquatic Plant
Moderate
In Winter
Aquatic Plant
Average Water
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Clay, Loam, Sand
Loam
Soil Drainage Capacity
Poorly Drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Pruning
Prune in early spring, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
Nitrogen, Phosphate
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
Nematodes, Powdery mildew
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Drought
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Foliage Texture
Medium
Coarse
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Attracts
Birds, Flying insects
-
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Showy Purposes, Water gardening
-
Environmental Uses
Food for animals, Food for birds, Food for insects, Nesting sites for birds
Air purification
Medicinal Uses
Nutrients
Vermifuge
Part of Plant Used
Leaves
Fruits, Leaves, Seeds
Other Uses
Decoration Purposes, Showy Purposes, Used as Ornamental plant
-
Used As Indoor Plant
Yes
No
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Bog Garden, Container, Water Gardens
Edible, Fruit / Fruit Tree, Herb / Vegetable, Vine
Botanical Name
TYPHA minima
CUCUMIS metuliferus
Common Name
Dwarf Cattail
African Horned Cucumber, Blowfish Fruit, Jelly Melon, Kiwano Melon
In Hindi
बौना कैटेल
Kiwano Melon
In German
Dwarf Rohrkolben
Hornmelone
In French
Cattail nain
Cucumis metulifer
In Spanish
Espadaña enano
Cucumis metuliferus
In Greek
Νάνος Cattail
Kiwano Melon
In Portuguese
Tifa Dwarf
pepino africano
In Polish
Dwarf Ożypałka
Ogórek kiwano
In Latin
Pumilio Cattail
Kiwano Melon
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Liliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Family
Typhaceae
Cucurbitaceae
Clade
Angiosperms, Commelinids, Monocots
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids