Eriophorum virginicum

Cottonsedge growing in bogs and peaty wetlands, with tawny inflorescence bristles

Eriophorum virginicum tawny cottonsedge

Plant grows in the wild/spontaneouslyPlant is native to PA

This perennial species of cotton sedge is found mostly in northeastern North America and British Columbia in Canada. It belongs to the sedge family. It is a wetland plant that grows in bogs, swamps, and wet meadows. The bristles of this species are yellow-brown. Most other cotton sedges of this genus have white bristles.

Like most sedges, the stems are triangular in cross-section. The plant can grow over 3 feet in height. The flowers are born at the tip of the stem, in dense, head-like tufts consisting of multi-flowered spikelets. The fruit is a seed-like achene, surrounded by hairs and scales. The leaves are narrow and flat with rough margins.

It can spread by seed or by horizontal growth of the rootstock. Historically the tawny cottonsedge is found in most of the counties of the state.

Contributed by: Mark Welchley

Widespread in bogs, peaty meadows, and peaty swamps.

Present throughout the state.

Wetland codes
EMP: OBL
NCNE: OBL



Flowers August to September.

The bristles of this sedge are tawny in color unlike the other species in this genus whose bristle are all white.

S-rank:  No rank
G-rank:  G5 (Secure)

Eriophorum virginicum tawny cottonsedge

Plant grows in the wild/spontaneouslyPlant is native to PA
Eriophorum virginicum gallery
Plant Life-Form
perennial sedge
Common Names
tawny cottonsedge tawny cottongrass