About

Eriophorum vaginatum is a species of flowering plant in the sedge family Cyperaceae. It occurs throughout the subarctic and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It prefers wet, acidic, peaty soil and is often dominant in bogs, poor fens, and the Arctic tundra regions of northern Russia and Canada. The specific epithet vaginatum, which means "having a sheath", refers to an important character used to recognize this species. Both the scientific name Eriophorum vaginatum and the common name sheathed cottonsedge emphasize this fact. In Britain and Ireland (and elsewhere), the species is referred to as hare's-tail cottongrass (or simply hare's-tail). The name tussock cottongrass gained in popularity after its publication in Flora of North America in 2002.

Eriophorum vaginatum is a member of the unispicate group of cottongrasses since it has one (not multiple) spikelets.

Where it grows

Eriophorum vaginatum occurs throughout the subarctic and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. In Eurasia, its range extends from Spain in southwestern Europe to Japan in East Asia, northward to Siberia and Scandinavia. In North America, it occurs from Alaska south to British Columbia, east through the Great Lakes region to New England, and north through eastern Canada to Greenland. It prefers acidic, moist to wet, peaty soil and may be dominant in bogs, poor fens, and the heathlands of Western Europe. In the Arctic, it is commonly found in the peaty tundras of Russia and North America. It is common in Scotland where it is sometimes referred to as draw-ling or drawmoss.

Other Eriophorum plants

Tall cottongrass · Northland cottonsedge · Arctic cottongrass · Chamisso's cottongrass · Slender cottongrass · Broad-leaved cottongrass · White cottongrass · Fewnerved cottongrass · Tawny cottongrass · Thinleaf cottonsedge · Cottongrass