Family: Cyperaceae
Author: (L.) Kunth
Bibliography: Enum. Pl. 2: 170 (1837)
Year: 1837
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Scirpus
Vegetable: False
Observations: SC. & E. Canada to U.S.A., E. Mexico
Description
Cotton-grass bulrush, scientifically known as Scirpus cyperinus, is a fascinating plant species that belongs to the Cyperaceae family. Illustrated and categorized meticulously in the botanical literature “Enum. Pl. 2: 170” in the year 1837 by the botanist Kunth, this species has garnered interest due to its unique appearance and wide distribution.
This native plant is typically found across varied regions, spanning from South and Eastern Canada down to the United States, and extending into Eastern Mexico. The cotton-grass bulrush thrives in these regions, often contributing to the local flora’s biodiversity and ecological balance.
The plant is easily identifiable by its striking, tufted inflorescences that bear a resemblance to soft, billowing cotton—hence the common name. These tufts are composed of numerous small, dense spikelets that congregate to form a fluffy cluster, which can be quite eye-catching against the backdrop of wetlands, marshes, and moist meadows where the plant commonly resides.
In addition to its aesthetic appeal, cotton-grass bulrush plays a vital role in its habitat. It aids in stabilizing soil and preventing erosion with its extensive root network. This plant also serves as a crucial resource for local wildlife, offering both food and habitat to a variety of species.
The resilient nature of Scirpus cyperinus allows it to flourish in both nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor soils, adapting well to changes in water levels and conditions. This versatility makes it an integral part of the ecosystems it inhabits and a plant of interest for ecological study and conservation efforts.
With its botanical significance, ecological roles, and distinctive beauty, the cotton-grass bulrush is a treasured species in the regions it populates, continuing to intrigue botanists and nature enthusiasts alike.
Common Names
Eng: cotton-grass bulrush, marsh bulrush, teddybear paws, wool-grass, woolgrass, common woolly bulrush, black-sheathed bulrush, brown woolly sedge, common woolgrass, cottongrass bulrush
Deu: zypergras-simse
Fra: scirpe souchet
En: Cotton-grass bulrush, Marsh bulrush, Wool-grass, Teddybear paws, Woolgrass, Cottongrass Bulrush, Common woolly bulrush, Black-sheathed bulrush, Brown woolly sedge, Common woolgrass
Fr: Scirpe souchet
De: Zypergras-Simse, Zypergrassimse
Fa: پیزر پشمی
Synonyms
- Scirpus sylvaticus f. cephaloideus (E.Sheld.)
- Scirpus cyperinus f. andrewsii ((Fernald) D.S.Carp.)
- Scirpus thyrsiflorus (Willd.)
- Eriophorum cyperinum var. pelium ((Fernald) Farw.)
- Eriophorum cyperinum f. condensatum ((Fernald) Farw.)
- Eriophorum cyperinum f. grande ((Fernald) Farw.)
- Scirpus atrocinctus f. grandis ((Fernald) D.S.Carp.)
- Scirpus atrocinctus var. grandis (Fernald)
- Scirpus rubricosus (Fernald)
- Scirpus cyperinus var. congestus (House)
- Scirpus cyperinus f. cephaloideus ((E.Sheld.) Beetle)
- Scirpus cyperinus var. laxus ((A.Gray) Beetle)
- Scirpus cyperinus var. condensatus ((Fernald) Fernald)
- Scirpus cyperinus var. andrewsii ((Fernald) Fernald)
- Scirpus eriophorum (Michx.)
- Scirpus cyperinus var. normalis (Kuntze)
- Scirpus cyperinus var. eriophorum ((Michx.) Kuntze)
- Scirpus cyperinus f. confertus (Beetle)
- Scirpus cyperinus f. condensatus ((Fernald) S.F.Blake)
- Scirpus cyperinus f. congestus ((House) House)
- Scirpus cyperinus var. pelius (Fernald)
- Scirpus eriophorum var. andrewsii (Fernald)
- Scirpus cyperinus var. rubricosus ((Fernald) Gilly)
- Scirpus rubricosus f. praelongus ((Fernald) Fernald)
- Eriophorum cyperinum (L.)
- Eriophorum cyperinum var. atrocinctus (Farw.)
- Eriophorum cyperinum var. laxum ((A.Gray) Britton, Sterns & Poggenb.)
- Eriophorum cyperinum var. eriophorum ((Michx.) Farw.)
- Scirpus atrocinctus (Fernald)
- Scirpus eriophorum f. praelongus (Fernald)
- Scirpus eriophorum var. laxus (A.Gray)
- Scirpus eriophorum var. cyperinus (A.Gray)
- Scirpus eriophorum var. condensatus (Fernald)
- Trichophorum cyperinum ((L.) Pers.)
Distribution
- Alabama (native)
- Arkansas (native)
- Connecticut (native)
- Delaware (native)
- Florida (native)
- Georgia (native)
- Idaho (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Indiana (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Maine (native)
- Manitoba (native)
- Maryland (native)
- Masachusettes (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Minnesota (native)
- Mississippi (native)
- Missouri (native)
- Montana (native)
- New Brunswick (native)
- New Hampshire (native)
- New Jersey (native)
- New York (native)
- Newfoundland (native)
- North Carolina (native)
- Nova Scotia (native)
- Ohio (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Oregon (native)
- Pennsylvania (native)
- Prince Edward I. (native)
- Québec (native)
- Rhode I. (native)
- South Carolina (native)
- South Dakota (native)
- Tennessee (native)
- Texas (native)
- Vermont (native)
- Virginia (native)
- Washington (native)
- West Virginia (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
- Belarus (introduced)
- Central European Rus (introduced)
- France (introduced)
- Germany (introduced)
- Netherlands (introduced)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Oct 1, 2021 by Michael Juratovac (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 17, 2020 by Kerry Ranger (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 30, 2020 by Kal Soong (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 17, 2021 by Pascal Guerin (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 11, 2021 by kathy gilbert (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Flower
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − USDA NRCS Wetland Science Institute. (public)
Taken Nov 1, 2015 by EOL − yaoshawn (cc-by-nc)
Taken Oct 8, 2013 by EOL − Erin Faulkner (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jul 30, 2020 by Kal Soong (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 10, 2021 by Ariane Brisson (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Aug 1, 2015 by EOL − Laura Clark (cc-by-nc)
Taken Nov 1, 2015 by EOL − yaoshawn (cc-by-nc)
Taken Aug 4, 2013 by EOL − Bob Heitzman (cc-by-nc)
Taken Sep 9, 2021 by Cathy Kavassalis (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 30, 2020 by Kal Soong (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Aug 4, 2013 by EOL − Bob Heitzman (cc-by-nc)
Taken Aug 30, 2012 by EOL − Park Visitor (cc-by-nc)
Taken Mar 22, 2015 by EOL − camelcreek (cc-by-nc)
Taken Aug 1, 2015 by EOL − Laura Clark (cc-by-nc)
Bark
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)
Taken Nov 20, 2012 by EOL − Kelly O’Donnell (cc-by-nc-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:313460-1)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2720171)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Scirpus cyperinus (L.) Kunth)
Specifications
Growth form: Bunch
Growth habit: Graminoid
Growth rate: Moderate
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.2
Ph minimum: 4.8