Family: Typhaceae
Author: Pers.
Bibliography: Syn. Pl. 2: 532 (1807)
Year: 1807
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Typha
Vegetable: False
Observations: Tropics & Subtropics
Description
Narrow-leaf cumbungi, scientifically known as Typha domingensis, is a resilient and adaptable plant species widely observed in the tropics and subtropics. The plant belongs to the Typhaceae family and is acknowledged under the synonym mentioned in the work Syn. Pl., penned by the author Persoon in 1807.
Typha domingensis thrives in wetlands, riverbanks, marshes, and other inundated areas where it plays a crucial ecological role. Known for its tall, slender, and reed-like appearance, the narrow-leaf cumbungi can reach impressive heights, often standing as tall as three meters or more. Its narrow, linear leaves are a distinguishing feature, contributing to its common name.
The plant’s inflorescence is another remarkable characteristic, consisting of dense, cylindrical flower spikes. These spikes have a distinctive structure, with male flowers located at the top and female flowers beneath, which facilitate efficient pollination and seed distribution. During the flowering season, the spikes can create a striking visual, adding to the ecological and aesthetic value of wetland environments.
Narrow-leaf cumbungi is not just a visual marvel but also an ecological powerhouse. It provides habitat and food for a variety of wildlife, including birds, insects, and aquatic organisms. Furthermore, it plays a significant role in stabilizing sediment and controlling erosion along water bodies. The plant’s robust root system helps in trapping pollutants and excess nutrients, thereby contributing to the water purification process.
Historically, Typha domingensis has been used by indigenous populations for various purposes. The plant’s sturdy leaves are excellent materials for weaving, crafting mats, baskets, and other useful items. Additionally, some parts of the plant have been used for medicinal purposes, showcasing its versatility.
In contemporary times, the narrow-leaf cumbungi continues to be a subject of interest for environmental scientists and conservationists. Its ability to thrive in diverse and sometimes adverse conditions makes it a potential candidate for habitat restoration projects and green infrastructure developments.
In conclusion, the narrow-leaf cumbungi, Typha domingensis, stands as a testament to nature’s ingenuity. With its ecological functions, historical significance, and potential for future environmental applications, this plant is an invaluable component of the natural world, particularly within the tropics and subtropics.
Common Names
Spa: enea, piripepe, pirivevýi, totora
Eng: southern cattail, cattail, lesser reed-mace, narrow-leaf cumbungi, southern cat-tail
Por: tababuya, taboa
Ara: bout, burdi, dees
Zho: chang bao xiang pu
Fra: massette australe
En: Narrow-leaf cumbungi, Cattail, Lesser reed-mace, Southern cattail, Cat tail, Reed-mace, Small bulrush, Southern Cat-Tail, Narrowleaf cattail, Totora, Tule cattail
Ar: بربى (بُرُبى), بردى (بُردى، بَردى، بِردى), بردى (بِردى)، ديس (دِيس)، تمين (تِمين), بوط دمياطي, Bout, Burdi, Dees
Zh: 长苞香蒲, Chang Bao Xiang Pu
Fr: Massette Australe, Massette à feuilles étroites, Massette de Saint-Domingue, Massette à larges feuilles, Massette, Quenouille, Typha
Ff: Toloore
El: Ψαθί
He: סוף מצוי
Fa: تیفا دمینجنسیس
Pl: Pałka południowa
Pt: Taboa, Tababuya
Es: Totora, Piripepe, Pirivevýi, Enea
Zh-hant: 長苞香蒲
Synonyms
- Typha salgirica (Krasnova)
- Typha domingensis var. eudomingensis (Gèze)
- Typha angustifolia subsp. domingensis ((Pers.) Rohrb.)
- Typha bracteata (Greene)
- Typha angustata var. leptocarpa (Rohrb.)
- Typha angustifolia var. virginica (Tidestr.)
- Typha angustifolia var. saulseana (Legrand)
- Typha angustifolia var. angustata ((Bory & Chaub.) Jord.)
- Typha angustifolia subsp. australis ((Schumach.) Kronf.)
- Typha truxillensis (Kunth)
- Typha angustata var. abyssinica ((Rchb.f. ex Rohrb.) Graebn.)
- Typha angustifolia subsp. javanica ((Schnizl. ex Rohrb.) Graebn.)
- Typha tenuifolia (Kunth)
- Typha javanica (Schnizl. ex Rohrb.)
- Typha angustifolia var. brownii ((Kunth) Kronf.)
- Typha latifolia subsp. domingensis (Pers.)
- Typha domingensis var. javanica ((Schnizl. ex Rohrb.) Gèze)
- Typha domingensis var. australis ((Schumach.) Gèze)
- Typha angustata subsp. aethiopica ((Rohrb.) Kronf.)
- Typha domingensis var. angustata ((Bory & Chaub.) Gèze)
- Typha australis (Schumach.)
- Typha americana (Rich. ex Rohrb.)
- Typha angustata (Bory & Chaub.)
- Typha abyssinica (Rchb.f. ex Rohrb.)
- Typha basedowii (Graebn.)
- Typha essequeboensis (G.Mey. ex Rohrb.)
- Typha angustata var. gracilis (Nyman)
- Typha brownii (Kunth)
- Typha aequalis (Schnizl.)
- Typha angustata var. aethiopica (Rohrb.)
- Typha aethiopica (Kronf.)
- Typha maxima (Schur ex Rohrb.)
- Typha angustifolia subsp. angustata ((Bory & Chaub.) Briq.)
- Typha domingensis subsp. australis ((Schumach.) F.M.Vázquez)
- Typha domingensis f. strimonii (Cheshm. & Delip.)
- Typha domingensis var. sachetiae (Fosberg)
- Typha spiralis (Raf.)
- Typha gigantea (Schur ex Kunth)
- Typha angustifolia var. australis ((Schumach.) Rohrb.)
- Typha angustifolia var. domingensis ((Pers.) Griseb.)
- Typha macranthelia (Webb & Berthel.)
- Typha ehrenbergii (Schur ex Rohrb.)
- Typha damiattica (Ehrenb. ex Rohrb.)
- Typha angustifolia var. tenuispicata (Debeaux)
Distribution
- Afghanistan (native)
- Alabama (native)
- Albania (native)
- Algeria (native)
- Andaman Is. (native)
- Angola (native)
- Argentina Northeast (native)
- Argentina Northwest (native)
- Argentina South (native)
- Arizona (native)
- Arkansas (native)
- Assam (native)
- Azores (native)
- Bahamas (native)
- Baleares (native)
- Bangladesh (native)
- Belize (native)
- Benin (native)
- Bermuda (native)
- Bolivia (native)
- Botswana (native)
- Brazil North (native)
- Brazil West-Central (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Burkina (native)
- Burundi (native)
- California (native)
- Canary Is. (native)
- Cape Verde (native)
- Cayman Is. (native)
- Central African Repu (native)
- Chad (native)
- China North-Central (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- China Southeast (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Colorado (native)
- Congo (native)
- Corse (native)
- Costa Rica (native)
- Cuba (native)
- Cyprus (native)
- Delaware (native)
- Djibouti (native)
- Dominican Republic (native)
- East Aegean Is. (native)
- Ecuador (native)
- Egypt (native)
- Eritrea (native)
- Ethiopia (native)
- Fiji (native)
- Florida (native)
- France (native)
- French Guiana (native)
- Gabon (native)
- Gambia (native)
- Georgia (native)
- Ghana (native)
- Greece (native)
- Guinea (native)
- Guinea-Bissau (native)
- Guyana (native)
- Haiti (native)
- Honduras (native)
- Illinois (native)
- India (native)
- Inner Mongolia (native)
- Iran (native)
- Iraq (native)
- Italy (native)
- Ivory Coast (native)
- Jamaica (native)
- Jawa (native)
- Kansas (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Kenya (native)
- Kirgizstan (native)
- Korea (native)
- Kriti (native)
- Krym (native)
- Lebanon-Syria (native)
- Leeward Is. (native)
- Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
- Libya (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Malawi (native)
- Malaya (native)
- Mali (native)
- Manchuria (native)
- Maryland (native)
- Mauritania (native)
- Mauritius (native)
- Mexico Central (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mexico Northwest (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Mississippi (native)
- Missouri (native)
- Mongolia (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Mozambique (native)
- Myanmar (native)
- Nebraska (native)
- Nepal (native)
- Netherlands Antilles (native)
- Nevada (native)
- New Caledonia (native)
- New Guinea (native)
- New Mexico (native)
- New South Wales (native)
- Niger (native)
- Nigeria (native)
- Norfolk Is. (native)
- North Carolina (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- Northern Territory (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- Oman (native)
- Pakistan (native)
- Palestine (native)
- Paraguay (native)
- Peru (native)
- Philippines (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Primorye (native)
- Puerto Rico (native)
- Queensland (native)
- Romania (native)
- Rwanda (native)
- Réunion (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Saudi Arabia (native)
- Senegal (native)
- Seychelles (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- Sinai (native)
- Society Is. (native)
- Somalia (native)
- South Australia (native)
- South Carolina (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Southwest Caribbean (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sri Lanka (native)
- Sudan (native)
- Sumatera (native)
- Suriname (native)
- Tadzhikistan (native)
- Taiwan (native)
- Tanzania (native)
- Tasmania (native)
- Texas (native)
- Thailand (native)
- Togo (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Trinidad-Tobago (native)
- Tunisia (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Uganda (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Uruguay (native)
- Utah (native)
- Uzbekistan (native)
- Venezuela (native)
- Venezuelan Antilles (native)
- Victoria (native)
- Vietnam (native)
- Virginia (native)
- West Himalaya (native)
- Western Australia (native)
- Wyoming (native)
- Xinjiang (native)
- Yemen (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Zambia (native)
- Zaïre (native)
- Chagos Archipelago (introduced)
- Comoros (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- Switzerland (introduced)
- Tennessee (introduced)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken May 5, 2022 by Jagdish Gabhane (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 13, 2019 by JP Corrêa Carvalho (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 7, 2021 by Mary Casto (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 27, 2019 by cedric THIBAULT (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 27, 2019 by Stephanie Domaingue (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Apr 6, 2022 by André Garcia (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 3, 2017 by Philippe Feldmann (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 16, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 22, 2017 by Guy Van Laere (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 16, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken May 26, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Pascal MARNOTTE (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 22, 2017 by Guy Van Laere (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 7, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Pascal MARNOTTE (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 16, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 22, 2017 by Guy Van Laere (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken May 30, 2013 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)
Taken May 30, 2013 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)
Fruit
Taken May 1, 2014 by OTS – Padilla, Sergio (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken May 1, 2014 by OTS – Padilla, Sergio (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Mar 25, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Errol VELA (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 5, 2022 by Jagdish Gabhane (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 30, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Patrick LEBOULENGER (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Jul 9, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu GUEYE (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 9, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu GUEYE (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 9, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu GUEYE (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 9, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu GUEYE (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 9, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu GUEYE (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5289534)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:836837-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Typha domingensis Pers.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.0
Ph minimum: 6.5
Light: 8
Atmospheric humidity: 8
Soil nutriments: 6
Soil salinity: 2