Cattails, characterized by their tall stalks and distinctive brown, cylindrical flower spikes, are a widespread presence in wetlands across North America. These common aquatic plants thrive in shallow, mucky soils near lakes, ponds, marshes, and ditches, often forming dense clusters. Beyond their visual prominence, cattails hold considerable ecological significance, serving as a foundational element in numerous wetland food webs. They provide both sustenance and shelter, establishing a complex ecosystem that supports a diverse array of wildlife.
Mammalian Consumers
Muskrats are prominent consumers of cattails, relying heavily on various parts of the plant for their diet. They consume the starchy rhizomes, which are the underground stems, along with new shoots, leaves, and even the stalks. These semi-aquatic rodents also utilize cattail foliage to construct their dome-shaped lodges and feeding platforms within wetlands. Beavers also consume cattails, particularly the roots and young shoots, though it is not their primary food source.
Deer frequently browse on cattails, especially the tender young shoots and leaves, particularly during the spring. Moose and elk similarly graze on the fresh shoots when available. Other large herbivores might occasionally include cattail parts in their diet, consuming them if easily accessible. Raccoons may also eat tender cattail shoots and rhizomes.
Avian and Insect Foragers
Many bird species utilize cattails as a food source, particularly waterfowl such as ducks, geese, and swans, which eat the tender green shoots, seeds, and even rhizomes. These birds often graze on young shoots and seeds found in the wetland environment. Red-winged blackbirds are known to consume cattail seeds, especially during the colder months when other food sources are less abundant. American goldfinches also feed on cattail seeds, contributing to seed dispersal.
Various insect species interact with cattails as a food source, with some larvae boring directly into the plant’s structure. Moth caterpillars, such as the Shy Cosmet moth and the cattail borer, feed on seeds within the cattail heads or bore into the stems. These caterpillars can spend winter inside the cattail heads, consuming seeds and providing a food source for foraging birds like chickadees. Beetle larvae, aphids, and other true bugs also feed on different parts of the cattail, including leaves and sap.
Aquatic Inhabitants
Aquatic organisms interact with cattails, either directly consuming parts or benefiting from their presence. Certain fish species, such as grass carp, consume young cattail shoots, and common carp may root at the rhizomes. Aquatic invertebrates, including snails and crayfish, graze on submerged cattail leaves or decaying plant matter, with snails typically preferring softer material. Painted turtles also consume cattail stems.