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Native Plant Database

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Eriophorum angustifolium (Tall cottongrass)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Eriophorum angustifolium Honckeny

Tall cottongrass

Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)

USDA Symbol: ERAN6

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Extensive patches of erect stems with grass-like leaves, topped by 2-8 white, cottony heads in a cluster.

The name comes from the Greek erion (wool) and phoros (bearing). The slender bristles of cotton are actually modified sepals and petals of minute flowers. There are several similar species.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Linear
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Inflorescence: Spikelet
Leaf: Green
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Not Applicable
Bloom Notes: Perianth absent.

Distribution

USA: AK , CO , IA , ID , IL , IN , ME , MI , MN , MT , NC , ND , NE , NH , NM , NY , OR , SD , TN , VT , WA , WI , WY
Canada: NB , NS , PE
Native Distribution: Throughout the Northern Hemisphere, south to central Oregon, Idaho, northern New Mexico, Great Lakes region, New York, and northern New England; also recorded in North Carolina and Tennessee.
Native Habitat: Cold swamps and bogs.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK(N), CAN(N), GL(N), SPM(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Eriophorum angustifolium in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Eriophorum angustifolium in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Eriophorum angustifolium

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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