Tall Cotton grass
Eriophorum angustifolium

Family: Cyperaceae

What it is like

A grass like herb. It does not occur in tufts. It has a creeping rootstock. The leaves are flat and keeled. It produces tassels and white cotton-like flowers. These are on short stems 30 cm long and which do not have leaves. They droop from the base of leaf-like bracts.

There are 20 Eriophorum species.

Where it is found

A cold temperate plant. It grows on acid moorlands. It can be covered with water 5 cm deep at the roots. It grows in Arctic regions.

Countries/locations it is found in

Alaska, Arctic, Australia, Britain, Canada, Europe, Korea, Luxembourg, Mongolia, North America, Slovenia, USA

How it is used for food

The young stems are eaten. The black root hairs can be removed by pouring boiling water over them. They can be eaten raw or cooked. They can also be stored in oil. The roots are also boiled and eaten or can be stored in oil.

Edible parts

Root, corm, stem

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seed or division.

Often the stems are buried by mice and then harvested from their burrows in Alaska. They are then washed.

Its other names

Local names

Anlleret, Cheecheekok, Eetaht, Eetaluk, Eetuk, Etak, Etok, Iitaat, Melquruaq, Ozkolistni munec, Pekneq, Qitmiruat

Synonyms

Eriophorum angustifolium Roth; Eriophorum polystachyon L.;