[kat-teyl] 
| any tall, reedlike marsh plant of the genus Typha, esp. T. latifolia, having long, sword-shaped leaves and dense, cylindrical clusters of minute brown flowers. |
| cat·tail (kāt'tāl') n. Any of various perennial herbs of the genus Typha, widespread in marshy places and having long straplike leaves and a dense cylindrical cluster of minute flowers and fruits. Also called reed mace. |
