Plants may reach a height of 6-8 feet. Ribbon shaped leaves are about 1 inch wide and arise from a thick base. Thick, edible starchy rhizomes rapidly spread plants as new shoots develop from these root-like structures. The dark brown, tubular seed heads are easily distinguished in this well known plant. As seed heads mature, fluffy seeds are released and spread by the wind as the seed head disintegrates over the fall and winter. Cattails are found at the edge of ponds in water 2-4 feet deep. Cattail provides nesting habitat for red wing blackbirds and food for muskrat and other rodents.