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Eriophorum vaginatum var. spissum

Eriophorum vaginatum L. var. spissum (Fernald) B. Boivin

Tussock Cottongrass

Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)

Synonym(s): Eriophorum spissum, Eriophorum spissum var. erubescens, Eriophorum vaginatum ssp. spissum

USDA Symbol: ERVAS

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N), GL (N), SPM (N)

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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
Fruit Type: Achene
Size Notes: Up to about 2 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Brown
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug
Bloom Notes: Fluffy white bristles make it look like it has white flowers.

Distribution

USA: AK , CT , IN , MA , ME , MI , MN , NH , NJ , NY , PA , RI , VT , WI
Canada: NB , NS , PE
Native Habitat: Bogs, meadows, swales, tundra, wet places, peaty soils.

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Eriophorum vaginatum var. spissum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Eriophorum vaginatum var. spissum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Eriophorum vaginatum var. spissum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-09
Research By: TWC Staff

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