The cat-tail is a native plant of wet areas that can be so common it gets little respect. The truth is that many native plants, even common ones, are under assault from exotic alien plants introduced to the United States for one reason or another.

In some marshes and wetland areas, native plants are being pushed out by aliens such as

purple loosestrife and reed canary grass.

Cat-tails can be an indicator of a wet environment, even if water is not visible or is hidden by other vegetation.

Look for cat-tails in ditches and in low depressions in Anderson Prairie Park.