Thinleaf Cottonsedge
(Eriophorum viridicarinatum)
Thinleaf Cottonsedge (Eriophorum viridicarinatum)
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Reuven Martin
Public Domain
Image By:
Reuven Martin
Recorded By:
Copyright:
Public Domain
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Reuven Martin | License Type: Public Domain | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ | Rights Holder: Reuven Martin | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2017-06-17T14:08:50-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Eriophorum viridicarinatum, commonly known as Thinleaf Cottonsedge, is an evergreen perennial grass native to peatlands, wet meadows, and marshes in the Eastern and Central USA, as well as parts of Canada. It typically forms dense clumps of stiff, erect stems, which can be solitary or numerous, and features basal leaves that can reach up to 30 centimeters in length. This sedge grows from a rhizome and reaches a modest height, usually not exceeding 60 centimeters. The inflorescence is notable for its two to four leaflike bracts and each flower is distinguished by a tuft of white or brown bristles that are long, cottony, and can measure up to 2.5 centimeters long, giving the plant a distinctive, fluffy appearance. Flowering occurs from late spring to summer, and the plant is particularly responsive to the increased moisture from the spring thaw.
Thinleaf Cottonsedge is valued for its unique texture and the visual interest it adds to water gardens, rain gardens, and naturalized wetland areas. It thrives in consistently moist to wet conditions and is often used to stabilize soil in riparian zones. Gardeners should provide full sun to part shade and plant it in soils with slow drainage to mimic its natural wetland habitat. While it requires high amounts of water, it is relatively low maintenance once established. However, it may spread vigorously in ideal conditions, so it should be monitored to prevent unwanted naturalization.CC BY-SA 4.0
Thinleaf Cottonsedge is valued for its unique texture and the visual interest it adds to water gardens, rain gardens, and naturalized wetland areas. It thrives in consistently moist to wet conditions and is often used to stabilize soil in riparian zones. Gardeners should provide full sun to part shade and plant it in soils with slow drainage to mimic its natural wetland habitat. While it requires high amounts of water, it is relatively low maintenance once established. However, it may spread vigorously in ideal conditions, so it should be monitored to prevent unwanted naturalization.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Grass
- Height: 0.5-3 feet
- Width: 0.117-0.7 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: High
- Drainage: Slow
Common Uses
Erosion Control, Low Maintenance, Water Garden
Natural Habitat
Native to peatlands, wet meadows, and marshes
Other Names
Common Names: Dark-Scale Cottongrass, Bog Cottongrass, Green Cottongrass, Green-Keeled Cottongrass, Tall Cottongrass, Tassel Cottongrass, Thin-Leaved Cottongrass, Linaigrette Verte, Linaigrette À Carène Verte, Tassel Cotton-Grass
Scientific Names: , Eriophorum viridicarinatum, Eriophorum latifolium var. viridicarinatum, Eriophorum viridicarinatum f. viridicarinatum,
GBIF Accepted Name: Eriophorum viridicarinatum (Engelm.) Fernald