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Eriophorum angustifolium - Honckeny.

Common Name Cotton Grass, Tall cottongrass
Family Cyperaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Peat bogs, acid meadows and marshes[13].
Range Arctic and temperate regions of Europe, including Britain, to Siberia and N. America.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Wet Soil Water Plants Semi-shade Full sun
Eriophorum angustifolium Cotton Grass, Tall cottongrass


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Eriophorum angustifolium Cotton Grass, Tall cottongrass
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Eriophorum angustifolium is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers wet soil and can grow in water.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

E. polystachion.

Habitats

 Pond; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root  Stem
Edible Uses:

Young stem bases - raw or cooked[172]. Usually cooked and eaten with oil[257]. Root - raw or cooked[257]. The blackish covering should be removed[172].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Astringent

The leaves and roots are considerably astringent and have been used in the past as a treatment for diarrhoea[4]. Some native North American Indian tribes would eat the stems raw in order to restore good health to people in generally poor health[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Paper  Stuffing  Tinder  Weaving  Wick

The cottony seed hairs are used to make candle wicks[4, 13, 100, 172]. They are also used for stuffing pillows[4, 74, 141], paper making etc and as a tinder[74]. Experiments have been made in using the hairs as a cotton substitute, but they are more brittle than cotton and do not bear twisting so well[4]. The dried leaves and stems have been woven into soft mats or covers[257].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires boggy conditions or a pond margin and an acid soil[1, 162]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Quite invasive.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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Propagation

Seed - sow in situ in spring in a moist soil in light shade. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 6 weeks at 15°c[200]. If the seed is in short supply it can be sown in pots in a cold frame. Place the pots in a try of water to keep the compost moist. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, the divisions can be replanted direct into their permanent positions.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Cirsium eriophorumWooly ThistleBiennial1.5 5-9  LMHNM202
Eriophorum gracileCotton Grass, Slender cottongrassPerennial0.5 0-0  LMHSNWeWa201

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

Honckeny.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

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