Reed mace is a term that is used to refer to a group of plants that are characterized by long, slender stems that bear cylindrical flowering spikes. Synonyms for this term include bulrush, cattail, typha, and punks. The term "bulrush" is often used to describe this plant, as the term "reed mace" is more commonly used in the UK. "Cattail" is another popular synonym for the plant, as it resembles the tail of a feline. In addition, the term "typha" is derived from the Greek word "typhos," which means "smoke," as the plant's flowering spikes are often used to make traditional Native American smoking blends.