Cattails, effect

Besides cattails, a few plants have been effectively used as torches and fuel for specialized lamps. The rushlight or rush candle is made from rushes common in wet fields or bogs. These plants have a tall pithy stem and few or no... 

Neutralization of acidic water is an important step in reclaiming land that was once mined. Mine run-off renders water around the mine site acidic, and the acid must be neutralized with lime, or calcium oxide (CaO) acting as a base, before the area can be reclaimed. However, this procedure is expensive. Recent studies have shown that constructed wetlands— human-made shallow ponds containing water plants such as cattails—can be an effective and less costly method of neutralizing acid mine drainage. 

DeLaune, R. D., A. Jugsujnda, and K. R. Reddy. 1999. Effect of root oxygen stress on phosphorus uptake by cattail. J. Plant Nutr. 22 459-466. 

Miao, S. L. and W. DeBusk. 1999. Effects of phosphorus enrichment on structure and function of sawgrass and cattail communities in the Everglades. In K. R. Reddy, G. A. O Connor, and C. L. Schelske (eds.) Phosphorus Biogeochemistry in Subtropical Ecosystems. CRC Press, Boca Raton, EL. pp. 275-299. 

Miao, S. L., P. V. McCormick, S. Newman, and S. Rajagopalan. 2001. Interactive effects of seed availability, water depth, and phosphorus enrichment on cattail colonization in an Everglades wetland. Wetland Ecol. Manage. 9 39-Al. 

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