Assessing Typha spp. (cattail) distributions at Gensburg-Markham Prairie using morphological and molecular techniques
Location
SU-216
Start Date
1-5-2026 10:10 AM
Department
Biology
Abstract
In North American wetlands of the Midwest, two cattail species, native Typha latifolia and exotic T. angustifolia, hybridize to generate T. x glauca. Invasive T. angustifolia and the hybrid spread aggressively, decreasing native biodiversity and negatively affecting wetlands. Furthermore, these cattail species are difficult to identify morphologically, making it more challenging to manage wetlands efficiently. NEIU’s Gensburg-Markham Prairie (GMP) is a ~100-acre remnant of the lake plain prairies on which the Chicagoland area is built. GMP is part of the Indian Boundary Prairies and is the most pristine of them all, supporting several endangered and threatened species. Due to its high-quality status, GMP was designated a US National Natural Landmark in 1987, and an IUCN Protected Area Category III (natural monument or feature). Maintaining high plant diversity has been a primary goal in ongoing restoration efforts, which focus on removing invasive and exotic plant species and reseeding areas with native, non-invasive species. Historically, all cattails were intentionally removed at GMP, and for at least the last 16 years, there were no cattails detected in the prairie. Starting in 2024, however, we detected several small cattail populations, sparking immediate concern due to their potential threat to native plant biodiversity. During 2024 and 2025, we sampled GMP cattail populations to morphologically determine the distribution of the parental taxa (T. latifolia and T. angustifolia) as well as their F1 hybrid (T. x glauca). Additionally, in 2025, we collected cattail specimens to identify them using molecular markers, which is more accurate than morphology. Our results indicate that all cattail species were morphologically detected at GMP, including both parental species and the F1 hybrid. Although at low abundances, this finding is concerning because advanced generation hybrids (beyond F1 hybrids) are known to occur but are impossible to detect from their morphology alone. Thus, we are currently processing cattail tissue to molecularly determine their precise identification and to determine if advanced generation hybrids are also present. Preserving the high-quality status of GMP is critical, and our results may yield useful information to help manage the invasive cattails at this site.
Faculty Sponsor
Pamela Geddes
Assessing Typha spp. (cattail) distributions at Gensburg-Markham Prairie using morphological and molecular techniques
SU-216
In North American wetlands of the Midwest, two cattail species, native Typha latifolia and exotic T. angustifolia, hybridize to generate T. x glauca. Invasive T. angustifolia and the hybrid spread aggressively, decreasing native biodiversity and negatively affecting wetlands. Furthermore, these cattail species are difficult to identify morphologically, making it more challenging to manage wetlands efficiently. NEIU’s Gensburg-Markham Prairie (GMP) is a ~100-acre remnant of the lake plain prairies on which the Chicagoland area is built. GMP is part of the Indian Boundary Prairies and is the most pristine of them all, supporting several endangered and threatened species. Due to its high-quality status, GMP was designated a US National Natural Landmark in 1987, and an IUCN Protected Area Category III (natural monument or feature). Maintaining high plant diversity has been a primary goal in ongoing restoration efforts, which focus on removing invasive and exotic plant species and reseeding areas with native, non-invasive species. Historically, all cattails were intentionally removed at GMP, and for at least the last 16 years, there were no cattails detected in the prairie. Starting in 2024, however, we detected several small cattail populations, sparking immediate concern due to their potential threat to native plant biodiversity. During 2024 and 2025, we sampled GMP cattail populations to morphologically determine the distribution of the parental taxa (T. latifolia and T. angustifolia) as well as their F1 hybrid (T. x glauca). Additionally, in 2025, we collected cattail specimens to identify them using molecular markers, which is more accurate than morphology. Our results indicate that all cattail species were morphologically detected at GMP, including both parental species and the F1 hybrid. Although at low abundances, this finding is concerning because advanced generation hybrids (beyond F1 hybrids) are known to occur but are impossible to detect from their morphology alone. Thus, we are currently processing cattail tissue to molecularly determine their precise identification and to determine if advanced generation hybrids are also present. Preserving the high-quality status of GMP is critical, and our results may yield useful information to help manage the invasive cattails at this site.