Common cotton grass - Eriophorum angustifolium

Common Name :	common cotton grass
Binomial Name :	Eriophorum angustifolium
Family :	Cyperaceae
Photo Taken :	Ireland

Botanical Identity

Eriophorum angustifolium, commonly known as Common Cottongrass or Narrow-leaved Cottongrass, is a perennial plant in the Cyperaceae family, which also includes sedges. It is native to cool temperate and arctic regions across the Northern Hemisphere, including Europe, Asia, and North America. This species is especially abundant in bogs, fens, wet heaths, and peatlands. Its Latin name reflects its narrow leaves (angustifolium = "narrow-leaved"), and it is well known for its decorative, cottony seed heads that resemble tufts of wool.

Plant Description

Common Cottongrass is a rhizomatous perennial herb, typically reaching 30 to 60 cm in height. It forms dense colonies through its underground rhizomes. The leaves are long, narrow, and grass-like, and the plant has slender, upright stems that end in one or more flowering heads. It thrives in acidic, waterlogged soils, particularly in peat bogs, moorlands, and tundra-like habitats. This species is often one of the first to colonize disturbed peatlands, playing a role in ecosystem recovery.

Flowers and Fruit Characteristics

The flowers of Eriophorum angustifolium are small and inconspicuous, typical of sedge family members. However, what makes this plant stand out are its fluffy, white seed heads, which develop after flowering and resemble cotton balls. These woolly structures are actually bristles attached to the seeds, which aid in wind dispersal. Flowering occurs from late spring to early summer, followed by the emergence of the characteristic cottony tufts that sway gracefully in the wind and give the plant its common name.

Uses and Ecological Role

While not commonly used in modern herbal medicine or cuisine, Eriophorum angustifolium has had traditional uses: the fluffy seed heads were once used as lamp wicks, pillow stuffing, and wound dressings, particularly in northern Europe. More importantly, it plays a critical ecological role in peatland environments — helping to stabilize wet soils, prevent erosion, and maintain the delicate water balance of bogs. It also provides cover for nesting birds and contributes to the unique beauty and function of wetland ecosystems.


Photos of this common cotton grass (Eriophorum angustifolium) were taken from the following locations:
1) June 2020: Near Lough Bray, Wicklow, Ireland.


Written by Lonely Traveler,
For blog icflora.blogspot.com