[6] Typha angustifolia grows 1.5–2 metres (4 ft 11 in – 6 ft 7 in) high (rarely to 3 m) and has slender leaves 3–12 mm (0.12–0.47 in) broad, obviously slenderer than in the related Typha latifolia; ten or fewer leaves arise from each vegetative shoot.

[8] The species is universally accepted to be native across most of Eurasia, and in the far northwest of Africa, where it is widely distributed in temperate and subtropical regions, growing in marshes, wetlands, and along the edges of ponds and lakes.

In 1987 it was argued that the species was introduced from Europe to North America, with a human-mediated arrival on the east coast between 1800–1820.

[10] Later, pollen data gave credence to the idea that the species was present in North America pre-contact,[11] but subsequent examination of this question suggests it remains very uncertain: "T. angustifolia is likely not native with European origins", with the species no more than "possibly native to the tidal wetlands of the eastern seaboard".

[4] T. angustifolia often occurs in deeper water than T. latifolia, and is more tolerant of wetlands with low eutrophication conditions.