A tall erect rush or flag (
Typha latifolia) growing widely in fresh and salt marshes, with long, flat, sword-shaped leaves, having clusters of small brown flowers in a dense cylindrical spike at the top of the stem; -- called also
bulrush and
reed mace. The leaves are frequently used for seating chairs, making mats, etc. See
Catkin. [
1913 Webster]
" The lesser cat-tail is Typha angustifolia."
[1913 Webster]