Question
Hi,

How do you tell the difference between common cattail and narrow leaf cattail?  

Answer
Hello Shawna,

The Narrow Leaf Cattail (Typha angustifolia) is different from the closely related Common Cattail (Typha latifolia) by...
narrower, deeper green leaves on a less vigorus plant
fruiting spikes showing clear separation between the male and female sections and the leaves typically extending beyond the fuzzy spike.

Hope this helps,
Angie