Flower spikes of cattails
are separated into two portions: one with male flowers and the other with female
flowers. The male flowers are located above the female flowers. Broadleaf Cattail
does not have a space between the male and female flowers. After blooming, the
male flowers fall off the plant, leaving only the female flowers.
Compare to Typha angustifolia
(Narrowleaf Cattail). Narrowleaf Cattail has a space between the male and
female flowers. As the name suggests, the leaves are also narrower.