Growing Cattails from Roadside Seed Pods

Wet backyard from springs. Wants cattails/iris for water uptake. Asks: brown "hot dog" = flower or seed pod? Can grow from seed? How? Spread naturally?

Brown Cylinder = Seed Pod

Fuzzy white interior = seeds. Collect in late spring/early summer.

Germination

1. Sand + water tray. Press seeds on surface (don't bury).
2. Germinate 1 week.
3. Grow to 2" tall, then full sun.
4. Pot up to 12" tall.
5. Plant outside: ≤6" stagnant water.

Spreads via rhizomes after a few seasons. Can also transplant divisions (roots fragile, tall plants topple).

Iris: similar, but plant rhizomes at soil surface.