Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Cyperaceae ⟩ Eriophorum angustifolium / common cottongrass

Eriophorum angustifolium Honck.

common cottongrass (Cyperaceae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
Very widespreadSlight tendencyNW
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Eriophorum angustifolium is the most common many-headed cotton-grass species, found in acid moorland; it has round stems with a loose-fitting upper leaf-sheath; its leaves are channelled with a long pyramidal tip, unlike Eriophorum latifolium.

Alpes-Maritimes (06), France; 2010-07-10

 common cottongrass / Eriophorum angustifolium: _Eriophorum angustifolium_ is the most common many-headed cotton-grass species, found in acid moorland; it has round stems with a loose-fitting upper leaf-sheath; its leaves are channelled with a long pyramidal tip, unlike _Eriophorum latifolium_.

In Eriophorum angustifolium, the pedicels are smooth and the glumes are short with a broad scarious margin, in contrast with Eriophorum latifolium.

Alpes-Maritimes (06), France; 2010-07-10

 common cottongrass / Eriophorum angustifolium: In _Eriophorum angustifolium_, the pedicels are smooth and the glumes are short with a broad scarious margin, in contrast with _Eriophorum latifolium_.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne