Common cotton-grass (Eriophorum angustifolium, Verz. Gew. Teutschl. 1: 153 (1782))

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: Honck.

Bibliography: Verz. Gew. Teutschl. 1: 153 (1782)

Year: 1782

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Eriophorum

Vegetable: False

Observations: Subarctic & Temp. Northern Hemisphere

Description

Common cotton-grass, scientifically recognized as Eriophorum angustifolium, is a distinctive and captivating species belonging to the Cyperaceae family. This perennial plant is notable for its inclinations towards subarctic and temperate regions within the Northern Hemisphere, thriving in environments that are typically cool, moist, and boggy.

Renowned for its unique appearance, the Common cotton-grass showcases slender, grass-like leaves that harmonize beautifully with its surroundings. However, what truly sets this plant apart is the soft, cotton-like tufts that emerge from the flower heads. These tufts are not only visually striking but also play a functional role in the plant’s reproduction by aiding in seed dispersal through wind.

Common cotton-grass serves an essential ecological role in its habitats. It often dominates in peat bogs, moors, and damp meadows, areas where other plants might struggle to thrive. Its presence contributes significantly to soil preservation and the maintenance of the hydrological cycle in these sensitive ecosystems. Moreover, the dense mats formed by its roots help prevent soil erosion, while its leaves and flower heads provide shelter and food for a range of wildlife.

Despite its simple beauty, Common cotton-grass is a resilient and adaptive species, capable of enduring the challenging conditions of the Northern Hemisphere. Its ability to flourish in both subarctic and temperate climates is a testament to its robustness and ecological versatility.

Historically, the plant has caught the attention of botanists and naturalists, with initial references dating back to 1782 in the work of Honck. This early documentation highlights the longstanding human fascination with the diverse and intricate flora of our planet.

In summary, Eriophorum angustifolium, or Common cotton-grass, is a fascinating example of botanical resilience and ecological significance. Its aesthetic appeal and functional adaptability illustrate the intricate balance and beauty inherent in nature’s design.

Common Names

Eng: common cotton-grass, common cottongrass, tall cottongrass, narrow-leaved cottongrass, many-spiked cottongrass, thin-scale cottongrass
Deu: schmalblättriges wollgras
Dan: smalbladet kæruld
Fra: linaigrette à feuilles étroites
Nld: veenpluis
Swe: ängsull
Nob: duskull, duskmyrull, stormyrull, vanlig duskull
Nno: duskull, duskmyrull, stormyrull, vanleg duskull
Sme: niitoullu, gieddeullu, upmolsuoidni
Cym: eira’r gors, gwaunblu culddail, gweunblu, gwlanwair cyffredin, plu’r gweunydd, plu’r gweunydd culddail, plu’r gweunydd culddail cyffredin, sidan y waun, sidan y waun culddail
En: Common cotton-grass, Tall cottongrass, Tall Cotton-Grass, NARROWLEAF COTTONSEDGE, Common cottongrass, Narrow-leaved cottongrass, Many-spiked cottongrass, Thin-scale cottongrass, Cotton-grass
Be: Падвей многакаласковы
Bg: Теснолистна пушица
Ca: Cotonera angustifòlia, Cotonera de fulla estreta
Zh: 东方羊胡子草
Cs: Suchopýr úzkolistý
Da: Smalbladet Kæruld
Nl: Veenpluis
Eo: Mallarĝfolia erioforo
Et: Ahtalehine villpea
Fi: Luhtavilla
Fr: Linaigrette à feuilles étroites
De: Schmalblättriges Wollgras, Schmallblättriges Wollgras
Hu: Keskenylevelű gyapjúsás
Is: Klófífa
Ga: Ceannbhán
It: Pennacchi a foglie strette
Lv: Šaurlapu spilve
Lt: Siauralapis švylys
Gv: Cadee lheeanagh
Se: Niitoullu, Gieddeullu, Upmolsuoidni
No: Duskull
Nb: Duskull, Duskmyrull, Stormyrull, Vanlig duskull
Nn: Duskull, Duskmyrull, Stormyrull, Vanleg duskull
Pl: Wełnianka wąskolistna
Ru: Пушица узколистная
Sk: Páperník úzkolistý
Es: Junco lanudo, Hierba algodonera
Sv: Ängsull
Te: ఎరియోఫోరం అంగుస్టిఫోలియం
Uk: Пухівка вузьколиста
Wa: Tchitchoûle ås stroetès foyes
Cy: Plu`r gweunydd, Eira’r Gors, Gwaunblu Culddail, Gweunblu, Gwlanwair Cyffredin, Plu’r Gweunydd, Plu’r Gweunydd Culddail, Plu’r Gweunydd Culddail Cyffredin, Sidan y Waun, Sidan y Waun Culddail

Synonyms

• Plumaria angustifolia ((Honck.) Bubani)
• Eriophorum polystachion var. angustifolium ((Honck.) A.Gray)
• Eriophorum polystachion f. angustifolium ((Honck.) Regel)
• Scirpus angustifolius ((Honck.) T.Koyama)

Distribution

• Alaska (native)
• Albania (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Aleutian Is. (native)
• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• Chita (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Greenland (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Montana (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Norway (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Nunavut (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Québec (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Svalbard (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Yukon (native)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Aug 18, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 11, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 24, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2018 by Reinhard Bachmann (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Sep 24, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 11, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 16, 2019 by Zustovi Carlo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 21, 2019 by Hilary Martin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 19, 2019 by Angelika Reisinger-Remmers (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 20, 2021 by Albert Mallol Camprubí (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 18, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 18, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2021 by Darren Giddins (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.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Fruit

Taken Jun 1, 2009 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2020 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 9, 2020 by Jan Muus (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 28, 2019 by Uriarte Manuel Elvira (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2021 by Darren Giddins (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 4, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude Bouzat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2020 by Catherine Bouvard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 4, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude Bouzat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 3, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 31, 1878 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2020 by alain rey (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2022 by Christophe Pietrantoni (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 27, 2016 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2730127)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:307335-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Eriophorum angustifolium Honck.)

Specifications

Growth form: Bunch

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth rate: Moderate

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.5

Ph minimum: 4.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 9

Bloom months: [‘apr’, ‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’]

Soil nutriments: 2