T. domengensis is commonly known as southern cattail. Some Native American names have been translated as prairie chicken feathers, eye itch, and roof grass. Typha's wide range can be accounted for by several features both physiologically and anatomically. Although Cattails usually grow in fresh water conditions, alkali and brackish waters are also tolerated. It can establish itself quickly on wet mud via light wind-blown seeds and then form dense colonies through shoot formation arising from rhizomes.
Shoots arise from a stout rhizome.
The stem terminates in a spike with unisexual flowers, the males being more terminal. The male flowers fall off after maturity and the fruits develop from the bottom of the spike upwards. The rhizome at the base of a plant tends to be somewhat enlarged. Species can be identified by size, leaves, and flowers. T. latifolia's stem can reach four meters.