Family: Typhaceae

High Risk Traits:

• Broad climate suitability and environmental versatility
  
• Grows from temperate to tropical climates
  
• Naturalized on Kauai, Oahu, and Hawaii (Hawaiian Islands) and elsewhere
  
• A disturbance weed that impacts agriculture and aquatic resources
  
• Potential environmental weed
  
• Other Typha species are invasive
  
• Reports of potential toxicity to animals and humans (conflicting accounts)
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Capable of forming dense monocultures in aquatic habitats
  
• Reproduces by seeds and vegetatively by rhizomes
  
• Hybridizes with other Typha species
  
• Self-fertile
  
• Reaches maturity in 2 years (from seed)
  
• Seeds dispersed by wind, water, soil movement and external attachment to animals and equipment
  
• Intentionally planted by people
  
• Seeds survive gut passage (ducks)
  
• Prolific seed production
  
• Forms a persistent seed bank
  
• Able to resprout after fire

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Palatable to animals and provides shelter for water birds
  
• Ornamental
  
• Herbicides provide effective control