We examined the Typha species found in wetlands near Lake Ontario to determine differences and similarities in their roots, rhizomes, fertile stalks and leaves. In the roots of T. angustifolia, the endodermis contained thicker secondary walls than the other two species. The rhizome of all three species had an endodermis and a hypodermis composed of Casparian bands, suberin lamellae and secondary walls. The multiseriate hypodermis of the rhizome in T. angustifolia had more cell layers than the other two species, along with definitive bands of fibers between the endodermis and the vascular bundles that were lacking in the other two species. The fertile stalk of each species contained a uniseriate epidermis and a uniseriate hypodermis with vascularized and non-vascularized bundles of fibers interrupting the hypodermis. Between the hypodermis and the vascular bundles there were interrupted tangential sclerenchyma bands. The leaf showed great differences among the three species: T. latifolia and T. glauca had prominently thickened cuticles and enlarged epidermal cells. These characteristics were also found in T. angustifolia, but to a lesser degree. The enlarged epidermal cells of all three species were associated with bundles of fibers. These features of T. latifolia and T. glauca appear to contribute to the wind strength of their leaves.

Key words: leaf anatomy, rhizome anatomy, Typha angustifolia, Typha glauca, Typha latifolia