Woolgrass

(Scirpus cyperinus)

Woolgrass (Scirpus cyperinus)

Doug McGrady from Warwick, RI, USA

CC BY 2.0

Image By: Doug McGrady from Warwick, RI, USA

Recorded By:

Copyright Notice: Photo by: Doug McGrady from Warwick, RI, USA | License Type: CC BY 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0 | Uploader: DEMcGrady | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Scirpus_cyperinus_(common_woolsedge,_woolgrass),_Exeter,_RI_(32127704586).jpg | Notes: {{Information |Description={{en|'''Description:''' Detail of the blossom of ''[[:en:Brunfelsia pauciflora]]''}} {{de|'''Beschreibung:''' Blütendetail der ''[[:de::Brunfelsia pauciflora]]''}} {{es|'

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Scirpus cyperinus, commonly known as Woolgrass, is a deciduous perennial sedge native to wet meadows, marshes, and riparian zones across the Eastern United States, parts of Canada, and the Gulf Coast region. It typically forms dense clumps reaching heights of 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 meters) with a similar spread. Woolgrass is characterized by its upright fertile stems and long, narrow leaves that can grow up to 80 centimeters long and 1 centimeter wide. The inflorescences are notable for their woolly appearance, thanks to the long bristles that accompany each flower, and can exhibit shades of reddish, brownish, or black scales. Flowering occurs in late summer, and the fluffy seed heads add textural interest to the landscape.

Woolgrass is valued for its naturalistic appeal in water gardens, rain gardens, and as a stabilizing plant along pond edges or stream banks. It is also used for erosion control due to its robust rhizome system. This sedge thrives in full sun to part shade and requires consistently moist to wet soils, tolerating a range of drainage conditions from fast to slow. While it is generally low-maintenance, Woolgrass can spread vigorously and may need to be managed to prevent unwanted naturalization. It is not commonly afflicted by serious pests or diseases.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Grass
Height: 3-5 feet
Width: 2-4 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: N/A
Flowering Season: Summer
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: High
Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow

Common Uses

Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Water Garden

Natural Habitat

Wet meadows, marshes, and riparian zones across the Eastern United States, parts of Canada, and the Gulf Coast region

Other Names

Common Names: Cotton-Grass Bulrush, Marsh Bulrush, Wool-Grass, Teddybear Paws, Black-Sheathed Bulrush, Brown Woolly Sedge, Common Woolgrass, Common Woolly Bulrush, Cottongrass Bulrush, Scirpe Souchet, Bulrush

Scientific Names: , Scirpus cyperinus, Scirpus atrocinctus, Scirpus cyperinus var. pelius, Scirpus cyperinus var. eriophorum, Scirpus eriophorum, Scirpus rubricosus, Scirpus cyperinus var. cyperinus, Scirpus cyperinus var. laxus, Scirpus cyperinus var. rubricosus

GBIF Accepted Name: Scirpus cyperinus (L.) Kunth