Cat O’ Nine Tails

Cat o' nine tails is a semiaquatic plant that can be found in fresh water bodies like ponds, lakes, and marshes. It has long, flat, grayish-green leaves that are 1–2 cm wide and sheathed at the base. In late spring or early summer, the plant produces immature green flower heads that rise from the center of the rosette. These flower heads are cylindrical and dark brown, with the lower part containing female flowers and the upper part containing male flowers. In late summer, the flowers bloom and are followed by brown catkin fruit.

Cat o' nine tails can grow up to 10 feet tall and spread 2–4 feet wide. It helps prevent soil erosion on the banks of ponds and lakes, and it also provides cover for wildlife.