Cattail

Brownish flowers in dense, cylindrical spikes. The spike is broken up into two types of flowers, the upper half has staminate flowers, and the lower has pistillate flowers. These two together develop into the cattail. 

Distribution: Cattails are always found in or near water, in marshes, ponds, lakes, and depressional areas. They are obligate wetland indicator plant species.Cattails tolerate perennial flooding, reduced soil conditions, and moderate salinity.

Uses: The medicinal uses of cattails include poultices made from the split and bruised roots that can be applied to cuts, Yellow Flag, a poisonous cattail look-alike. wounds, burns, stings, and bruises. The ash of the burned cattail leaves can be used as an antiseptic or styptic for wounds.