Typhaceae (cattail) is a small family, with two genera (sparganium and typha), and 14 US species, out of a worldwide total of around 32. Plants inhabit wet habitats, often growing in standing water; they have tall, cylindrical stems, generally long, linear leaves, and a vertical inflorescence, either a single, elongated cluster or a series of spherical clusters. Flowers may be pistillate or staminate.