The role of vertebrate herbivory in playa wetlands dominated by common cattail (Typha latifolia) was investigated in six playas on the Southern High Plains of Texas. Standing crop biomass of cattail varied (P<0.05) among playas, but vertebrate herbivory did not significantly (P>0.10) reduce biomass of cattail. Therefore, the importance of herbivory relative to other energy pathways (e.g., detrital food chain) is considered to be minor. Although vertebrate populations (e.g., waterfowl) in playas are considered to be large, wildlife feeding habits in uplands surrounding playas results in a negligible impact on cattail biomass.