Typha minima

The Typha minima is commonly known as Dwarf Cattail due to the shape of its female floral spikes, which turn brown when ripe. It is a hardy semi-aquatic plant that is small in size, both decorative and useful for its filtering properties, ideally suited for small ponds in the garden or on the terrace. It forms an upright clump with very thin linear leaves of a glaucous green colour, blooms in late spring, and its spikes remain decorative until winter.  

The Typha minima belongs to the family of cattails; it is a close relative of the Typha latifolia or broadleaf cattail, which is widely used in phytoremediation. The Typha minima, native to the Eurasian continental wetlands, is a non-invasive species that has become rare in the wild. It is a perennial plant with a rhizome, which grows spontaneously on the banks of slow-flowing watercourses, ponds, and marshes, generally under 5 to 20 cm (2 to 8in) of water. The above-ground vegetation is deciduous, emerging from the ground in spring. This species generally measures 60 cm (24in) in all directions. The vegetation consists of stiff, upright stems called stipes, with linear and narrow leaves of a beautiful bluish-green colour. Each leaf measures about 30 cm (12in) long and 1 to 3 mm (0in) wide. The Typha minima blooms in May-June. Each plant bears both male flower heads with yellow stamens, separate from the female flower heads with green pistils. The decorative female flower heads are brown and elongated ovoid in shape, measuring 2 to 5 cm (1 to 2in). The wind carries out pollination. 

The Dwarf Cattail can be planted at the edge of natural or artificial ponds (with liners, containers, tubs, large basins, etc.) in a basket filled with special aquatic plant soil. In the case of a small pond, a basin, or a natural stream, dig a hole in the mud, burying the rhizome at the right depth. It can be paired with a Farfugium, a Houttunya Chameleon, or a riverside anemone. This plant helps clarify and purify the water while providing a refuge for native fauna. And its unique flowers are highly appreciated in dried bouquets.